819.51A/2a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Panama ( Price )
11. The Department desires you to obtain an audience of President Porras at the earliest opportunity to ascertain whether the report which reaches us is correct, that he proposes to appoint a new fiscal agent in disregard of any recommendations that we might have to offer. We are much concerned at this intelligence and have had some difficulty in crediting it. Without at this moment emphasizing the provisions of Article 1 of Law Number 30 of 1918 with which the reported intention of the Government of Panama would seem [Page 607] clearly to conflict, it seems to us that the excellent results of Mr. Ruan’s work and the value to Panama of an enlightened and absolutely disinterested administration of her finances would be so apparent that a complete reversal of policy would hardly be thought of. It seems regrettable that so salutary a reform should be deliberately undone and that the accumulated results of sound administration should prompt any one to reverse a policy that has proved so good.
Before discussing the matter more fully we would like to have confirmation of this report and an expression from President Porras personally on the subject.