File No. No. 763.72112/10987

The Minister in Panama ( Price) to the Secretary of State

No. 2179

Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 2158 of November 5, with which I sent a copy of a new draft of the enemy trading bill proposed to Panama, including provisions for an alien property custodian, and authority to sell real estate and convey titles, I have the honor to enclose (enclosure No. 1) a translation of a note from the Panaman Foreign Office acknowledging the receipt of the proposed bill, but expressing the opinion that inasmuch as the war has virtually ended, the adoption of such a law is entirely unnecessary.

It would seem that the opinion of Secretary Lefevre is well taken, and I shall await further instructions from the Department before asking additional action at the hands of the Panaman authorities.

I have [etc.]

Wm. Jennings Price
[Enclosure—Translation]

The Panaman Minister of Foreign Affairs ( Lefevre) to the American Minister ( Price)

S.P. No. 2246

Mr. Minister: I have had the honor to receive the courteous communication of Your Excellency, F.O. 696, of the 5th instant, together with which you transmit a rough copy of a project of law relative to “trading with the enemy,” which contains a few amendments and additions to the” one which that Legation sent me previously, expressing in due time the opinion of the military authorities of the Panama Canal, that the adoption of such a law by the National Assembly of Panama would be very beneficial to the interests of Panama and the United States in the present war.

I have read said project with great interest, but, since the war has virtually ended and the signing of peace is near, I believe that the adoption of such a law by our Assembly under the present circumstances would be absolutely unnecessary.

I improve this opportunity [etc.]

E. T. Lefevre