811F.504/178: Telegram

The Ambassador in Panama ( Dawson ) to the Secretary of State

12. The Construction Quartermaster of the Panama Canal Department has circulated to prospective bidders on a number of military construction projects notices which include the following statement:

“All intending bidders are hereby further placed on notice that, with a view to the incorporation thereof in any contract to be awarded as a result of this advertisement, the War Department is seeking early legislative enactment of provisions in substance as follows:

(a)
That all personnel employed in such work and occupying skilled, technical, clerical, administrative, and supervisory positions shall be citizens of the United States.”

Embassy is informed that Panamanian contractors are preparing to petition Panamanian Government to protest against this restriction as contrary to spirit of general treaty and policy to which our Government is pledged.

Dawson