Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The American Republics, Volume V

811F.812/1110

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Panama (Dawson)

No. 245

[Washington,] June 15, 1940.

Sir: The Department refers to your despatch no. 88, dated September 5, 1939,⁵⁰ transmitting the text of note No. DD 1954 addressed to you by the Panamanian Secretary for Foreign Affairs in which there is expressed the appreciation of the Panamanian Government for a public statement made by the President on August 11, 1939 to the effect that he would request the Congress at its next session to amend H. R. 5129 so as to bring it in conformity with the commitments entered into with Panama which pledge to the citizens of Panama opportunity and treatment in employment in the Canal Administration and the Panama Railroad Company equal to that offered to citizens of the United States.

You are requested to inform Dr. Garay that the Department has not ceased during the present session to urge upon the Congress to the utmost of its ability the adoption of language in bills providing for construction work in the Canal Zone which will assure equality of opportunity for employment and treatment in employment to Panamanian citizens in accordance with this Government’s commitment to the Government of Panama in an exchange of notes accompanying the General Treaty under date of March 2, 1936. It has been pleased to note, therefore, that in Section 6 of Public No. 588, 76th Congress, “An Act Making Appropriations for the Navy Department and the Naval Service for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 1941, and For Other Purposes”,⁵¹ the Congress has incorporated and the President has approved language which it is confidently believed amply and fully complies with the commitment referred to. You may add that the Department confidently trusts that similar language will be incorporated by the Congress in all other pending legislation affecting employment in the Canal Zone.⁵²

A copy of Public No. 588 is enclosed, from which you may quote to Dr. Garay the provisions of Section 6 for his information.

Very truly yours,

For the Secretary of State:

Sumner Welles

50. Foreign Relations, 1939, vol. v, p. 751.
51. Approved June 11, 1940; 54 Stat. 265.
52. Similar language was incorporated in the War Department Appropriations Act, approved June 13, 1940 (54 Stat. 350), and in the Civil Functions War Department Bill, approved June 24, 1940 (54 Stat. 505).