711F.1914/583
The Chief of the Division of the American Republics (Bonsal) to the Ambassador in Panama (Wilson)
Dear Mr. Ambassador: It has been most helpful to receive your airgrams and telegrams regarding the reaction in Panama to the [Page 615] hearings being held before the Senate Subcommittee in connection with the proposed legislation on the “three points”. I have been able to make some effective use of some of this material, on an off-the-record basis. It will interest you to know that Senator Gillette has already received independently at least one editorial from the Star and Herald in regard to the hearings, and presumably will receive more.
As indicated in a telegram we are sending today,50 we all hope that the Panamanian press will not indulge in gratuitous and unjust criticism of the United States Senate because of the hearings which have taken place. Critical or provocative statements from Panamanian sources might have an unfavorable effect on the Senators, and prejudice prompt and favorable action.
In this connection I think it only fair to let you know that we all here feel strongly that the Panamanian Government itself has by no means been as helpful as it might have been in assisting us in this matter. The Panamanians were informed some time ago that the question of the claims was going to come up, and it was indicated to them that a helpful attitude on their part would greatly assist in overcoming this obstacle. All that was required, in my judgment, was a responsible statement to the effect that any claims advanced by American claimants against the Government of Panama would be accorded a fair hearing under Panamanian law, that there was no disposition to prejudge the claims, and that in the event that our Government were to present officially any claims through diplomatic channels the Panamanian Government would of course be willing to have such claims adjudicated in the usual way, whether by arbitration or otherwise; that the question of claims of citizens of one country against the Government of the other are of course separate from the governmental negotiations on major matters which have taken place, but that Panama is always willing to cooperate with the United States in bringing about a settlement of such claims in order to remove, so far as possible, all pending differences between the two countries. However, instead of any helpful statement of this character, which would be in the interest of Panama as much as the United States, the Government of Panama has seen fit to convey the impression that it is not even willing to discuss fair arbitration of these claims. Obviously such an attitude makes our task here much greater than it need be, and I think the Panamanian officials should be aware of this fact. I am sure that you have fully appreciated the importance of the foregoing, and I know the difficulties with which you have had to cope; but at the same time, if things do not go as well as we now hope in the Senate, it is still not too late in my judgment for a helpful statement from the Panamanian Government in [Page 616] regard to the claims matter to be a contribution to the successful passage of the legislation. Such a statement need not be made public. If it were transmitted officially to the Department, it could be shown in confidence to Senator Gillette and the Committee, and if necessary kept off the record in order to avoid confusion with the legislation itself.
I don’t think we should press hard for any such statement, since we are not seeking any concession from Panama in this connection. It is merely a question of letting them know what in our judgment is best for all of us in the long run. I should be glad to have your reactions to the foregoing.
With cordial regards,
Sincerely yours,
- Telegram No. 830, October 13, 5 p.m., not printed.↩