File No. 819.55/59.

The Chinese Legation to the Department of State.

memorandum.

A bill pending in the Panaman Congress requiring Chinese residents leaving the country with the intention of returning to pay a tax of one thousand dollars ($1,000) in gold and to land only at the port of Panama, has been amended at its first reading so that Chinese shall not be permitted to move to other cities, and again amended at its second reading so that Chinese leaving the country shall not be permitted to return at all.

The Chinese Consul General at Panama reports that there is imminent danger of this bill becoming a law, and urgently requests that special authority be obtained for the American Minister at Panama to use his good offices in behalf of Chinese citizens residing in that country.