File No. 819.1052/51.
The practical carrying out of the disarmament of the police of Panama
will require not only dispossessing them of the rifles, but, also,
the disposal of said arms in a manner to preclude as near as
possible their access to them, particularly in cases of outbreaks or
riots such as have taken place. This would entail either the sale of
them or their storage in a proper place and for us to be assured of
good faith in the matter it would seem requisite that we have a
representative to check up what was done with them. * * *
[Inclosure.]
Minister Price to the Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs.
No. 247.]
American Legation,
Panama,
October 15,
1915.
Excellency: I have the honor to refer
to our conferences upon the matter and in confirming same to
present to your excellency’s attention more formally, in justice
not only to our military authorities most directly affected but
also in justice to the subject both in the abstract and in the
concrete, the following situation.
Within a period of a little over three years last past, three
riots have taken place in the cities of Panama and Colon in
which the National Police of Panama and American soldiers were
most largely involved. As a result thereof one Spaniard and
three Americans have been killed and a great many Americans
wounded, some very seriously. The injuries on the other hand
suffered by Panamans have been comparatively slight, and the
only other person coming to his death was an alien bystander,
who seems to have been shot accidentally. The two cities named
are thickly populated in a closely built up area with nearly all
of their streets and avenues very narrow.
In each of these riots American soldiers almost to a man have
been unarmed. The National Police of Panama contrariwise have
very largely been armed with high-power rifles in addition to
small arms, and have not failed to use them recklessly in the
narrow streets of these closely built cities.
It is believed not only by our military authorities but by
others, also, who have had experience and observation entitling
their opinions to much weight, that the equipment by the
National Police of Panama with anything larger than small
fire-arms, constitutes a continued menace and serves no good
purpose whatever; that even in cases of large disturbances such
equipment has been, and will continue to be, a factor bringing
about increased tumult and resulting in extremes of violence and
in no way aiding to restore peace and order.
As your excellency well knows, there has been no settlement of
the matters and issues growing out of any one of the three riots
referred to; not a single person has been prosecuted or even a
prosecution begun against any individual in the courts of your
excellency’s Republic for the murders and wounds inflicted on my
countrymen; and not a cent of indemnity has been paid as a
result thereof, though credit is awarded to Panama to the extent
that within recent weeks she has agreed to pay money indemnities
on account of the riot of July 4, 1912, upon condition that the
amount thereof should be named by an arbitrator.
I shall not rehearse here the vexations that my Government feels
that it has been subjected to in its patient demands to obtain a
fair and just settlement of these troubles and a promptness and
energy of action on the part of your excellency’s Government in
the visitation of punishment upon those guilty in a manner
sufficiently decisive and admonishing to have a restraining and
beneficial effect throughout future years. I beg leave to refer,
however, to the various notes to your excellency’s Government by
this Legation through, the Foreign Office over which your
excellency so worthily presides, having relation to the matters
now adverted to.
The rights possessed by my Government under Article VII of the
Canal Treaty of 1903, with reference to the maintenance of
public order in said cities of your excellency’s Republic, have
not yet been exercised by my Government because it has preferred
to show the utmost consideration at all times to your
excellency’s Republic and to afford it the fullest opportunity
to exhibit good faith with reference to the matters spoken of. I
may say to your excellency that in the opinion of many people my
Government has already displayed a patience and forbearance far
beyond what the amenities even of such a situation might seem to
suggest.
While the settlement of matters growing out of said riots are
still pending and in view of the fact that no one knows from
past experience what day or night serious trouble may break
forth again in these cities, I am instructed by my Government,
pursuant to the recommendation of our military authorities, to
request at the hands of your excellency’s Government the
disarmament, without further delay than necessary for the prompt
accomplishment of such a purpose, of the National Police in said
cities of all except small fire-arms in the shape of [Page 1230] pistols, and that
any access by the said police to other than such small fire-arms
be made as impossible as practicable. I am instructed further to
make the additional request that energy and persistent watchful
measures be carried out resulting in the strict enforcement of
the law against carrying concealed deadly weapons by any one not
authorized by law to carry them.
It may be well to say that this request on the part of my
Government must not be construed in any sense to be any
compromise of its right and authority possessed under the
article of said treaty above named, nor as the slightest
indication that my Government will not fully exercise its right
and authority granted thereby and in accordance with its own
judgment with reference thereto, if at any time, no matter how
soon, it may appear to the judgment of my Government that the
exercise of said right and authority should not longer be
withheld.
While awaiting the response of your excellency with all
interest
I avail [etc.]
