File No. 811f.812/706a.
To the Diplomatic Officers of the United States in Denmark, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Nicaragua, Panama, and Uruguay.
Washington, January 28, 1915.
Communicate following to Minister for Foreign Affairs:
The President of the United States regrets exceedingly that because of stress of public business he will be unable to go to Panama in March next and that in consequence the formal celebration of the opening of the Panama Canal will be postponed. It is expected [Page 13] however that the ceremonies will take place in July, of which the Government to which you are accredited will be seasonably informed. The President highly appreciates the courtesy of the Government in accepting the invitation to be represented in this celebration by a representative and he indulges the hope that, in no wise inconvenienced by this unavoidable postponement and moved by the same friendly consideration for the Government of the United States, it may be pleased to determine that its participation in the event shall in no wise be affected by the postponement. Announcement will be made publicly in few days.