811F.504/192

The Panamanian Chargé ( Briceño ) to the Secretary of State

[Translation]
No. D–37

Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to advise Your Excellency that I have received instructions from my Government to transcribe to you, for your information, the resolution approved recently by the Panamanian Society of Engineers:—

“The Panamanian Society of Engineers,

Considering:

1
—That the Treaty between Panama and the United States gives the citizens of the United States and Panamanian citizens equal rights [Page 1104] in the Canal Zone, and that, notwithstanding, the United States Congress saw fit to pass a law whereby Panamanian technicians are excluded from positions in the construction of the third set of locks;
2
—That at the present time the passage of another law is being contemplated in Congress, whereby Panamanians, from the highest class to the peon class, will be excluded from the works which the Army is carrying out in the Canal Zone:

Resolves:

To authorize the President of the Society, in the name of the Society, to request the Executive Power, through its Ambassador in Washington to intervene with the Department of State, in order that Panamanians may not be excluded from works for the Army in the Canal Zone, either by law or in practice, and to express its gratitude to President Roosevelt for his promise to abolish the clause, in the present legislation, which excludes Panamanians from participation in the works of the locks.

Given in the City of Panama, January 23, 1940.

(Signed) M. F. Zárate, President.

(Signed) Victor N. Juliao, Secretary.”

My Government could do no less than accede to the request of the Panamanian Society of Engineers, recognizing therein the expression of the concern felt by part of our citizenry which sees the national interests menaced by the passage of laws in which it is apparent that there has been a failure to bear in mind international obligations undertaken in an Exchange of Notes annexed to the Treaty signed March 2, 1936, between our two Governments.

The Government of Panama maintains full confidence that Your Excellency’s Government will be good enough to take the most effective measures which it may deem fit, in order that no impediment may be placed in any form in the way of the good understanding and cordial friendship which has always existed between our two nations and which it is the daily concern of my country to strengthen still further; and this confidence rests on firm bases in that, as is noted in the resolution of the Panamanian Society of Engineers, the matter has already won the distinguished attention and comment of His Excellency the President of the United States of America.

I have [etc.]

Julio E. Briceño