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  4. Document 1347

711F.1914/763a

The Secretary of State to the Secretary of War ( Stimson )

Washington , June 1, 1944.

My Dear Mr. Secretary: You will recall that this Government committed itself to the removal of the railroad station in Panama City by virtue of the following language found in an exchange of notes between the State Department and the Panamanian Embassy dated May 18, 1942:

“10—The moving of the railroad station at Panama.

The Government of the United States agrees to comply with the wishes of the Republic of Panama regarding the removal from their present site of the terminal facilities of the Panama Railroad in Panama including the station, yards and other appurtenances.20 This [Page 1433] agreement, however, is subject to the making available without cost to the Government of the United States by the Republic of Panama of a new site deemed suitable for the purpose by the two Governments.”

It is my understanding that the Government of Panama has selected a site and that a survey conducted at the direction of the Commanding General in the Canal Zone has revealed that the proposed site is satisfactory.

Since the date of the exchange of notes referred to above, it has been understood that the exigencies of the war and the scarcity of materials made it impossible to consider the removal of the station. 1 am wondering, however, whether the time has not come now when the inconveniences resulting from the present location of the station are not more serious than the removal to the new site would prove to be. It would probably be desirable to continue to use the present station until such time as the new one is ready for use, thus providing for as little interruption as possible to traffic.

I would appreciate it if you would look into the matter at your convenience and let me know whether in your judgment we may inform the Panamanian Government that we are ready to proceed with the fulfillment of our commitment to remove the station.

Sincerely yours,

For the Secretary of State:
Edward R. Stettinius, Jr.

Under Secretary
  1. The question of moving the railroad station at Panama, dealt with in this letter, had been raised by President Ricardo Adolf de la Guardia in a conversation at Panamá on May 26 with the Deputy Director of the Office of American Republic Affairs (Bonsal), and by former President Augusto Boyd on behalf of President de la Guardia in a conversation at Washington on May 27 with the Director of the Office of American Republic Affairs (Duggan). (711 F.1914/701, 763)↩