File No. 819.1052/81
No. 931
American Legation,
Panama,
May 12, 1916.
[Inclosure]
Minister Price to
the Minister of Foreign Affairs
F. O. No. 304
American Legation,
Panama,
May 9, 1916.
Excellency: Confirming our conference in
the matter I have the honor to advise your excellency that my
Government has instructed me to inform your excellency’s Government
that, after careful consideration, it has definitely concluded that
the continued use of high power rifles by the national police of
Panama in the cities of Panama and Colon, or the storage of these
rifles at any place accessible to said police, constitute so great a
source of danger that it finds it necessary to bring the matter now
again in all earnestness before your excellency’s Government, and to
repeat the demand finally (presented by my note No. 247 of October
15, 1915,4 to which reference is made) for the
disarmament of said police of such firearms.
With reference to the assurance given by your excellency in your note
of November 12, 1915,5
relating to this matter that the police would not use these rifles
in municipal service, the Department of State of my Government calls
attention to the fact that the police appeared armed with these
rifles during the fire in the city of Panama on January 12 last, and
that this has clearly shown how ineffectual have been these orders
mentioned by your excellency in said note. Moreover, it is plain
that the necessity does not exist that the police of these cities
should receive military instruction in the use of rifles, nor that
arms of this character should even be used for guarding prisoners,
as shotguns are far more efficient and serviceable for such a
purpose.
In view of the unfortunate experiences of the past and for the
purpose of better safeguarding life and preserving peace and order,
I am directed formally to demand the immediate disarmament of the
said rifle equipment and that only pistols shall hereafter be
available for the use of said police. The guard of honor in the
presidential palace does not come within the provisions of this
demand,—the retention of rifles by them being agreeable to my
Government. As to the guards for the prison my Government expresses
the willingness that shotguns may be used by them in place of the
rifles.
Brigadier General C. R. Edwards, Military Commander of the Canal
Zone, reports that he has dry and safe storage room for these rifles
where they may be held for delivery to your excellency’s Government
in the event of any occurrence which would make the use of them
advisable in the opinion of both Governments.
I take [etc.]
