Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Western Hemisphere, Volume IX

819.00/7–2148: Telegram

The Ambassador in Panama ( Davis ), to the Secretary of State

confidential
urgent

Panama City , July 21, 1948—11 a. m.

577. The Embassy has kept Dept currently informed of efforts by various factions involve US officials in local political affairs,¹ Embtel 558, July 14² and previous reports. The most recent example is proposal made by Arnulfo Arias yesterday to President in his interview reported Embtel 574, July 20² and published in last night’s Panama American. It was to effect that the electoral jury invite the American, Argentine and Mexican Ambassadors to sit as a board to observe the vote count and decide points in dispute. According to press account President stated matter would be for jury decide. President has accordingly addressed proposal to jury, which will make reply this afternoon. Apparently the proposal is not being taken seriously by either the govt or the public. This Embassy’s position is so well known to the officials and the press that no one has made any inquiry on the subject thus far, and Embassy believes suggestion will be rejected as inconsistent with the national dignity.

Davis

1. Arnulfo Arias Madrid and Domingo Díaz Arosemena were candidates in the presidential election of May 9; although Arias claimed the largest popular vote, the Panamanian administration refused to concede him victory; the electoral jury declared Díaz Arosemena winner on July 30; President Enrique A. Jiménez remained in office until the inauguration of Díaz Arosemena on October 1, 1948.
2. Not printed.
2. Not printed.