File No. 419.11C64/30
Minister Price to the
Secretary of State
[Extract]
No. 1149
American Legation,
Panama,
October 27, 1916.
Sir: I have the honor to report that since the
new administration came into power I have taken up with the present
Secretary of Foreign Affairs a number of the matters pending with
Panama, among them those of the riots of February 14, 1915, and of April
2, 1915, hoping for some action in them. Following a conference I sent a
formal note, a copy of which is enclosed.
I enclose, also, a copy and translation of the response received to my
note mentioned above. The new criminal judge referred to in Señor
Garay’s note will take possession of his office, I am informed, within
the next day or two. He is Señor Don Ladislao Sosa, who has been Acting
Secretary of Public Works in the Cabinet of former President Porras
since the resignation of Señor Don Ramon F. Acevedo about two years
ago.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure 1]
Minister Price to
the Minister of Foreign Affairs
F. O. No. 347
American Legation,
Panama,
October 21, 1916.
Excellency: I have the honor to make
reference to the note from this Legation No. 322 of August 4, 1916,
and more particularly to the whole file relating to the unfortunate
occurrences happening last year in this city on February 14 and in
the City of Colon on April 2, denominated as riots, between American
soldiers and Panaman police and civilians, in which one American
suffered the loss of his life and many received injuries more or
less severe.
I am sure your excellency will accord to this Legation the
reasonableness of its conviction that there might be more
consideration shown to my Government in the matter of energetic and
earnest investigation and prosecution of the guilty ones involved in
those deplorable events and in an attempt to satisfy my Government
in a settlement, that would remedy as far as possible the wrongs its
citizens have suffered at the hands of citizens of your excellency’s
Republic and that would be an assurance against repetitions of such
things in the future.
I respectfully solicit that your excellency may be good enough to let
me have for forwarding to Washington a full and definite response
herein and with all promptness possible with your excellency’s
convenience.
I take [etc.]
[Page 1155]
[Inclosure 2—Translation]
The Minister of Foreign
Affairs to Minister Price
No. S–207
Panama,
October 26, 1916.
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to
acknowledge receipt of your excellency’s polite note No. 347 of the
21st instant, wherein you kindly ask for information regarding the
matter of the investigation of the riot occurring on the 14th of
February, 1915, in the Cocoa Grove district of this city, and the
riot which took place on the 2d of April of the same year in the
city of Colon.
In response, I am glad to inform your excellency that both
investigations have been ended and are in the hands of the Supreme
Court, waiting for their respective decisions, which have not been
rendered on account of the new superior judge, recently named for
the Supreme Court of Justice, not having taken his seat.
I trust that these decisions will be rendered soon, and I shall then
be glad to transmit the texts of same to your excellency.
I value this opportunity [etc.]
