711F.1914/466: Telegram

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

409. For Under Secretary. Reference your 325, April 29, 9 p.m.36 I am happy to say that thanks to the Department’s very helpful telegram No. 321, April 28, 9 p.m., I have reached complete agreement with the Foreign Minister on the defense site agreement.

Full report by air mail today37 which will be in the Department tomorrow. One point only departs from telegram number 321, namely that the lease for Rio Hato is to be of the same duration as that for the other defense sites. I consider this entirely satisfactory and request Department’s early approval of this and of various points of procedure mentioned in my despatch of today.

I believe you need have but little concern over the Taboga question. The President considers that the conditions covering this lease, reported in my despatch, and which have been accepted by the Commandant of the 15th Naval District will enable him to handle it satisfactorily [Page 608] with public opinion. I am convinced after careful exploration of all other possible sites that only Taboga meets the essential requirements for this much needed base.

Wilson
  1. Not printed.
  2. Despatch No. 2089, May 2, not printed.