File No. 763.72119/1014
The Minister in Panama ( Price ) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 15.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose the Spanish text and translation of the cablegram which the Government of Panama has sent to Argentina in response to the latter’s cable invitation, under date of October 28, proposing the holding of a congress of Latin-American nations in Argentina the first fortnight in January for the purpose of making a joint declaration in reference to their attitude in the pending war.1 I refer to my cablegram of October 29, 5 p.m.,2 and to my despatch No. 1642 of October 29,1 reporting this move on the part of the Argentine.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Panama, in the response mentioned, after expressing appreciation for the courtesy shown by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Argentina in addressing Panama in this matter, states that the Panaman Government “regrets that the motives which led it to decline the first invitation sent on May 9 have not changed.” After the receipt of instructions from the Department asked for in reference to the reply of Panama to be made to the invitation of Argentina of May 9 last, and to my communication of same, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Panama, under date of May 22, 1917, responded to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Argentina—
that the line of conduct observed by my Government respecting the war has been clear and unequivocal. Relations were broken with Germany and common cause made with the United States offering [Page 388] them all cooperation. These circumstances virtually exclude the Republic of Panama from the reunion which your excellency proposes, …
I refer to my cablegram of May 22, 7 p.m.,1 and to my despatch No. 1446 of June 28, 1917.2
The response of Panama to this last invitation has just now been given me by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. No answer had been received to my request for instructions with reference to what, if anything, the Department would like for me to say to Panama regarding its response, which request was contained in my cablegram of October 29, 5 p.m.3 Secretary Garay framed the cablegram, a copy of which is the enclosure herewith,2 on the theory, he told me, that such a response would at least not be objectionable or Inappropriate.
I have [etc.]