718.1915/851
The Minister in Costa Rica (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 2.]
Sir: Referring to my cablegram No. 45 of June 21, 12 noon, with reference to the information given me by President González relative to the proposed boundary negotiations between the Governments of Panama and Costa Rica, I have the honor to report as follows:
Mr. Rubén Castro, the President’s private secretary, called me this morning under instructions of the President, to inform me that the Panaman Government had proposed that negotiations relative to the Panama-Costa Rica boundary controversy be conducted in San José between the Panaman Minister to Costa Rica, Mr. Tomás Arias, and a representative of the Costa Rican Government, these negotiations to be conducted under the good offices of the Chilean Minister in San José. This proposal was transmitted to the Costa Rican Government through the Chilean Legation here.
Mr. Castro informed me that the proposal was discussed at a Cabinet meeting yesterday and that it decided to accept the proposal with the understanding that the negotiations are to be carried on under the joint good offices of the Ministers of the United States and Chile in Costa Rica. He stated that it was the consensus of opinion of the Cabinet that a representative of the Department should participate in these negotiations because of the friendly interest previously manifested by the Department in the controversy. He also stated that the President entertains serious doubts as to the success of the negotiations, since it appeared probable that Panama will insist upon material concessions which cannot be accepted by Costa Rica.
I am under the impression that President González, because of disturbed political conditions in Costa Rica, may feel that negotiations at this time are inopportune and his suggestion that a representative of the Department shall participate in the negotiations may have been made for the purpose of delaying these negotiations.
In my despatch No. 1554 dated June 5, 1929, I observed that the Government of Panama may feel disposed to carry on the negotiations without the coöperation of the United States because of the attitude assumed by the Department at the time of the conflict between Panama and Costa Rica in 1921.
I have not at any time suggested that a representative of the Department should participate in these negotiations.
I have [etc.]