711.00 Statement July 16, 1937/207
The Panamanian Secretary of Foreign Relations and Communications (Lefevre) to the American Chargé in Panama (Flexer)1
Mr. Chargé d’Affaires: I take pleasure in referring again to your memorandum, dated the 24th of July, last past, of which I acknowledged receipt by note verbale of the 30th of the same month.2
This Ministry has followed with positive interest the definite attitude which the Department of State of the United States of America has maintained during the grave events which are at present disturbing the world, because of serious disorders occurring in various countries, and which, in addition to the places where they are developing, affect other nations and proportionally injure their rights and interests while threatening the peace of the world.
The Republic of Panamá, in an official document of the 6th of April of the present year, stated that, for the very reason that full account is [Page 765] taken of the characteristic conditions of this country, it tries to be “zealous in the fulfilment of its obligations and in the defense of its rights as an independent nation” and, consequently, “it maintains a very clear international policy as regards its abstention from all intervention, in matters which may be considered of an internal nature, in those countries with which it maintains relations, and as a logical consequence, for its part, neither does it desire any intromission in its internal questions”; on account of which its Government sees with pleasure that, when in various parts of the world humanitarian sentiments of international concord become weakened, the Government of the United States assumes a noble, decidely impartial attitude, and becomes a champion of peace, at the same time proclaiming its self-restriction and its own continence, national as well as international, and it advocates that all nations cease the use of force for political ends and interference in the internal affairs of the rest; and it also favors settlement of international problems by process of friendly negotiation and peaceful accord, fundamental bases of true international law, which must be built on mutual justice and respect, and on due fulfilment by all countries of their respective duties and obligations. This ample policy,—of which His Excellency Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, has given undisputable proofs since the beginning of his administration,—is a guaranty of stability and progress for all nations, especially for the small ones.
Panamá has always tried to fulfil its contractual obligations; and it considers, as His Excellency Cordell Hull, Secretary of State of the United States of America, recommends, that public treaties must be faithfully executed, without this implying that, when there is justification for modifying them, they may not be adapted,—by friendly negotiations,—to the new conditions which are thus demanded, in the sense that a liberal interpretation of said treaties must prevail, in preference to the rigorous application of an obscure or anachronistic literal meaning; and that the contracting parties shall go on, inspired by a sincere desire for cordial coöperation.
All the foregoing clearly explains the identification of the Republic of Panamá with the transcendental declarations of the Honorable Secretary of State of the United States of America, to which reference has been made, and why it adheres thereto, as was stated in the aforementioned note verbale, since they constitute, furthermore, a positive hope that harmony may predominate at last in the international concert, especially among the republics of the American hemisphere.
Panamá, bearing in mind its exceptional geographic location, pledges itself to eliminate every obstacle which may hinder world commerce, animated by the aim of facilitating those commercial transactions [Page 766] as far as possible. Consequently, it must view with satisfaction the fact that the great republic of the north advocates “the reduction or the total removal of excessive barriers to international commerce”, and that it seeks “effective equality of opportunity to trade”, endeavoring earnestly that every nation “apply the principle of equality of treatment”, in order to obtain economic and commercial equilibrium, secure fountains of peace and progress.
Because of its size as well as its population, the Republic of Panamá is not directly affected by the problems concerning exaggerated armaments, although it duly considers the dangers which immoderate excess of elements of war constitutes for universal peace; and it also takes into account the advantages which limitation and reduction of those armaments represent in benefit to universal fraternity. At the same time it understands the unavoidable necessity of certain powers, such as the United States of America, for maintaining means of defense appropriate to the necessary protection of national security, although they are ready,—as this country has shown on several occasions,—to make the required reductions, when the other nations do likewise.
This explanation evidences the justified reasons that the Government of Panamá sincerely supports the important declarations of His Excellency Cordell Hull, Secretary of State of the United States, declarations favorable to cooperative effort, by pacific and practical means, which tend to carry forward and to make effective the transcendental ideals and principles which those statements involve.
I avail myself [etc.]