Mr. Buchanan to Mr.
Hay.
American Legation, Special Mission,
Panama, January
9, 1904.
No. 22.]
Sir: Confirming my cable of yesterday, in which
I recommended that medical inspectors should be stationed along the
coast line ports
[Page 553]
south of
here, I have the honor to inclose herewith copies of letters that have
passed between Rear-Admiral Glass and myself touching the subject,
together with a copy of a note I am addressing to this Government with
reference to the same matter. If I receive a reply to the latter
previous to the closing of the mail by which this dispatch will go I
shall include that as well.
I am greatly impressed by the insanitary condition, in appearance at
least, of this place and of the ramshackle villages between here and
Colon, as well as with that of the latter.
It seems to me that one need not wonder at the high death rate that has
scourged these places in the past, but that any appearance of good
health is found here.
The latter is, however, clearly a fact at this time, and it hence appears
reasonable to believe that vigorous, intelligent measures applied
hereabouts in the direction of cleanliness and sanitary common sense
would result in making the Isthmus a normally healthful livable
place.
I feel that our interests in every direction warrant us in urging here
and in assisting, or, if nothing is done, in initiating, movements that
will bring about a good cleaning up here and the enforcement of
regulations that will result in maintaining that condition so far as
possible.
I think that the first thing that should be done here by us after the
passage of the treaty should be the creation of a joint sanitary board
that would tear existing conditions into pieces and result in the
building up of a new part of this place back on Ancon Hill or across the
bay on the savannas.
A large portion of the present Panama is not possible of being made
livable, nor worth the effort or cost, but it will have to be attempted
and at least made accessible to water and sewerage facilities.
With electric traction there is no reason why a new part can not be
created that will be pleasant, healthful, and comfortable. To do this,
however, I believe it will be necessary for the engineers who plan the
sanitary improvements here to so make them as to force people out of the
present town into a newer and more sanitary section, wherein, with
proper building restrictions enforced, a first rate pleasant place, or
section, can be built up.
I hope my cable instructions may enable me to arrange for Doctor Pierce’s
presence in the sanitary visits made to ships here and his advice to be
taken in the matter of sanitary regulation, and that my recommendation
as to sending medical inspectors to the different ports about here and
those above as to our course after the passage of the treaty may merit
the Department’s approval.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Buchanan to
Rear-Admiral Glass.
American Legation, Special Mission,
Panama, January 7, 1904.
Sir: In view of the current belief here
that yellow fever is imported from other points and that it is not a
product of the Isthmus, and that Ecuadoran
[Page 554]
ports are responsible to a great degree for
the appearance of the disease here, what would you think of the
advisability of my recommending to our Government that to make sure
that we omit nothing that we can do to keep the disease from
reappearing here and getting among our men, and as a precautionary
measure to that end our Government send to each Ecuadoran port from
which passengers embark for this point or for others in this
direction a thoroughly skilled medical officer to watch all outgoing
passengers, with instructions to telegraph the consul-general here
with regard to any suspected cases of any kind on board ships bound
for here.
I shall be glad to be guided by your judgment in this matter.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 2.]
Rear-Admiral Glass to Mr. Buchanan.
United States Flagship Marblehead,
Panama, January 7, 1904.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
receipt of your letter of this date, suggesting certain
precautionary measures to prevent the introduction of yellow fever,
or other contagious diseases, on the Isthmus of Panama from ports in
the Pacific.
2. I am of the opinion that it is of the utmost importance to
prevent, by all means practicable, the introduction of such diseases
into Panama and Colon, especially during the presence of the large
naval force, both in the ports and on shore, which will probably be
maintained here for some time, and that efficient quarantine
measures should be strictly enforced, as among these measures the
presence in all suspected ports of a competent officer of the United
States hospital service, to give notice to the United States
consular authorities on the Isthmus of the presence of contagious
disease or the embarkation at those ports of infected passengers or
merchandise, would be of great value.
I am, etc.,
Henry Glass,
Rear-Admiral United States
Navy.
[Inclosure 3.]
Mr. Buchanan to
Señor de la
Espinella.
American Legation, Special Mission,
Panama, January 9, 1904.
Sir: Your excellency is so well aware of
the strong desire felt by the Government of the United States that
if possible no contagious diseases shall make their appearance again
upon the Isthmus, both on account of the large number of troops now
encamped thereon and because of the bad effect such fact would exert
upon the fortunes of the Isthmian Canal, I am sure your excellency
will permit me to bring to your excellency’s attention some
suggestions with regard to that subject.
I am happy to be able to say that from all I can now learn there
exist at this moment no cases of the contagious diseases so much
dreaded here and elsewhere—yellow fever, smallpox, or bubonic
plague.
Let us hope that such may continue to be a fact, and to secure that
end I believe that nothing should be left undone which might appear
likely to aid in maintaining the existing conditions in that
regard.
In considering this subject it has appeared to me wise to now take
steps to guard against every possible contingency through which
contagious diseases may find their way here from other points.
To that end I have cabled to my Government suggesting that skilled
medical inspectors shall be stationed at all Ecuadoran, Peruvian,
Venezuelan, Colombian, and West Indian ports, with instructions to
keep a careful watch over the health conditions existing at such
ports and to note the health conditions found among passengers on
steamships bound for the Isthmus, and to report immediately to
United States Consul-General Gudger here every information
accessible to them.
I have also requested that a special medical inspector shall be
stationed at Colon, and am glad to advise your excellency, in this
connection, that Assistant
[Page 555]
Surgeon Dr. Claude O. Pierce, of the United States Public Health and
Marine-Hospital Service, has been assigned to duty at this port, in
connection with our consulate-general, and that he is now here. His
duties are limited to the observance and reporting upon the health
conditions here and to guard against any cases of contagious disease
leaving here for the United States. This would equally apply to any
one who might be sent to Colon, in response to my suggestions, above
referred to. I am fully aware of the deep interest taken by your
excellency’s Government in all that refers to the subject herein
treated and of your strong desire to leave nothing undone toward
protecting the health of your excellency’s people and that of the
United States forces now at or on the Isthmus. I do not, therefore,
hesitate to express the confidence felt by my Government that extra
vigor and care and caution will at this time be insisted upon by
your excellency’s Government in everything that relates to sanitary
restrictions and precautions that can be made use of or taken to
protect the general health of Panama, Colon, and the intervening
territory by your health authorities.
In this connection I am glad to say to your excellency that I am
certain, if your excellency’s Government so desires, instructions
will be given to Assistant Surgeon Pierce here, and, should a
surgeon be sent to Colon, to that officer as well, to place his
services entirely at the disposition of your health authorities as
an adviser or helper in any way.
Doctor Pierce is a skilled and thoroughly competent surgeon, with a
wide quarantine practice under the United States service, and is
immune to yellow fever. It appears to me that a hearty cooperation
in the matter of the general health here is now to be looked for
among all having an interest in the Isthmus, and, as I have pointed
out, the United States being deeply concerned in the subject, I hope
your excellency will appreciate that in making the suggestions
herein contained I am guided solely by my desire to see your
excellency’s authorities aided in every way possible.
If your excellency’s health authorities at this port and at Colon and
the health officer attached to our consulate at said ports can have
the benefit that will without doubt be gained by both from close and
interested cooperation and counsel, the best results may be
anticipated, I am sure, for the health of all concerned here on the
Isthmus.
May I venture further to say that I assume that the subject of a
quarantine station at which passengers and baggage can be properly
and easily cared for is one that has already had the attention of
your excellency’s Government, since I am aware of the great
necessity that has always been felt here for such a thing and the
great inconvenience and expense that has attended passengers and
ships at many times in the past through the absence of any such
provision.
Awaiting your excellency’s wishes in the matters herein referred to,
I avail, etc.,
