File No. 819.77/259
Minister Price to the Secretary of State
Panama , November 27, 1916 .
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy and its translation of a bill introduced Saturday in the National Assembly of Panama,6 authorizing the President of Panama to construct railroads and wagon roads throughout the Republic of Panama, by means of a special understanding with the united States, and to construct other works. One of the premises of the bill as will be seen from the third article is that the United States has an interest in possessing railroads and wagon roads for the purpose adequately of facilitating the defense of the Canal and of the Republic of Panama whose integrity they are obliged to maintain.
I have [etc.]