Office of the Historian

File No. 819.55/64.

Minister Price to the Secretary of State.

No. 400.]
American Legation,
Panama, February 5, 1915.

Sir: Referring to my telegrams of January 30 and February 2, and to the Department’s telegram of February 1, and supplementing my despatch No. 397 of January 30, I have the honor to enclose a copy of my Foreign Office note of February 1 in this matter. After receipt of the Department’s telegram, I visited the Panaman Foreign Office in company with the Chinese Consul General and his Vice Consul.

My good offices were exercised courteously and earnestly and the assurances quoted in my telegram of February 2 were given by Sr. Lefevre. It is well, however, to advert that the fulfillment of said assurances will still leave Law 50 of 1913 without being amended, as represented by the Panaman officials in the settlement of matters last year. I called particular attention to this. Sr. Lefevre declared that the provisions of Law 50, which have been in suspense under said agreement, would be continued in suspense.

The Chinese Consul General was agreeable to this situation continuing rather than risk the matter coming again before this Assembly.

I have [etc.]

Wm. Jennings Price.
[Page 1268]
[Inclosure.]

Minister Price to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

No. 129.]
American Legation,
Panama, February 1, 1915.

Excellency: Referring to the matter of anti-Chinese legislation now pending in the National Assembly of Panama, I have the honor to solicit the continued services of your excellency to the intent that representations made while my Government was extending good offices in the matter of Law 50 of 1913 may be honored by said Assembly and no such action taken by it as might have results in its practical carrying out that might bring into question treaty rights and obligations, let alone work an injustice that calm consideration might not permit.

I avail [etc.]

Wm. Jennings Price.