740.00111A.R.–N.C./37
The Ambassador in Panama (Dawson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 6.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s circular telegram of January 28 [27], 1940, regarding the inquiry of the Neutrality Committee as to its competence to deal with problems arising from the Declaration of Panama.
The Department’s views as set forth in the telegram were communicated informally to the Panamanian Minister of Foreign Relations this afternoon. Dr. Garay said that he had not thus far received the text of the Committee’s resolution embodying the inquiry in question but that it would no doubt be received in due course through the Panamanian representative in Washington. He expressed himself informally as being in agreement with the Department’s view that the Committee is well equipped to study and coordinate proposals and to make recommendations. He said, however, that he assumes that the Committee would only make recommendations and would not be empowered to make decisions binding the several Governments.
Respectfully yours,