File No. 819.1052/55.
I have not yet had the opportunity of conferring with Governor
Goethals and General Edwards regarding this note, but will do so
promptly.
In a conversation with Señor Lefevre a few days prior to transmission
of the note he indicated that we might come and get the rifles, if
we insisted, but that no voluntary compliance with our request would
be forthcoming.
[Inclosure—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Minister Price.
No. S–8358.]
Foreign Office,
Panama,
November 12,
1915.
Mr. Minister: In due course the polite
note of your excellency, No. 247, of October 15, was received in
this office, in which, after various considerations on the riots
occurring in the cities of Panama and Colon between American
citizens and Panamans or nationals of other countries in which
the Panaman police intervened, and on the results of the riots,
your excellency affirms that in the riots the police were armed
with high-powered rifles in addition to small arms, and you
conclude requesting from the Government of Panama the
disarmament, with as little delay as possible, of the National
Police stationed in the two cities, with the exception of the
small arms in the form of pistols; and that the police may be
prevented in any way possible from having access to any arms
which are not of the last category. Your excellency also
requests that energetic and persistent means of vigilance may be
taken in order that the law may be strictly observed which
prohibits the bearing of fire arms by people who are not
authorized by law.
This communication was sent to the Secretary of Government and
Justice, who states to me he supposes your excellency in making
the request contained therein, thinks that our police generally
use rifles in its service, and that they intervened with them in
the riots which occurred between individuals, or that in such
use there has sometimes been disastrous results, which were not
justified or which should have been avoided; since otherwise it
would be strange to suggest a measure already adopted as
suitable and necessary, as I have verbally told your
excellency.
[Page 1234]
At any rate the Secretary tells me that I may communicate to your
excellency the complete assurance that the police will not use
these rifles in municipal service, since they are its emblem in
military use only; and that they will not be permitted, for any
reason, to use this class of arms to establish order in the
riots or fights which arise between individuals and much less
when in these riots American soldiers off duty take part within
the cities of Panama and Colon.
The Government is at present giving efficient civic instruction
to the police force with the strictest discipline, so as to
avoid at all cost the occurrences of events on which just claims
of the American Government or any other government may be
founded. Efficient measures have been taken to avoid all
disturbances occasioned by drunkenness on national holidays, and
orders that rifles be made inaccessible to the police who take
part in stopping fights or riots will be most rigorously put
into force.
As a result of the energetic and wise measures carried out up to
now, the quiet in which the national holidays passed this year
is evidence, and we are sure that the persistent application of
these preventive police measures will maintain the greatest
tranquility even on occasions that naturally draw crowds to the
places of amusement.
As the Panama Government eliminated the military a few years ago,
it is the duty of the police to receive military instruction in
the handling of arms, in monthly parades for review, and in the
official ceremonies on national holidays. Further, the police in
the necessary military service acts as guard of honor in the
Palace of the President of the Republic, and as guard in the
principal jail in this city and in Colon, the same as the prison
guards do, and in the custody of the prisoners on public works,
in all of which the carrying of rifles is necessary as a
suitable arm for these duties. In the secondary jails of both
cities there is used and kept for use only a gun with bayonet
with which the sentinel does his duty.
Relating to the prohibition of carrying arms by people not
authorized by law, the Secretary of Government and Justice tells
me that he has given to the mayors of the districts of Panama
and Colon, who are the officials giving out such permits, an
order that they shall cancel the permits already given out and
shall abstain from giving out in future permits to people who do
not enjoy good reputations, showing due care to take away the
arms carried by people not authorized by law, as your excellency
indicates. This measure has its basis in our laws.
Concerning the reference which your excellency makes to the
rights which the United States of America possess in accordance
with Article VII of the Canal Treaty of 1903, I must say that my
Government does not give to that article the interpretation that
your excellency appears to give to it. This is a point which we
consider should be cleared up and for that reason I intend to
address myself later to your excellency about it.
I take [etc.]
