711.1928/289

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

My Dear Mr. Minister: Your despatch No. 476 dated November 3, 1934, regarding the formal protest which you made to the Panamanian Government on account of the speech of Mr. Sayavedra, Municipal Auditor of Colón, has come to my attention. I feel that I must express to you my opinion that such action on your part was inadvisable in the circumstances. The Government of Panama of course is no more responsible for the sentiments expressed by a municipal employee of the City of Colón than is the Federal Government of the United States responsible for remarks made by a municipal employe in any town or city of this country.

The above view disposes of your demand for an apology which might, I feel, have given rise to an unpleasant incident, had the Panamanian Secretary for Foreign Affairs been so inclined; fortunately Dr. Arosemena was not so inclined.

Yours sincerely,

Cordell Hull