711F.1914/194: Telegram

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

33. Department’s telegram No. 34, February 25. Aide-mémoire was handed the Minister of Foreign Relations yesterday. This noon he informed me that he had studied the Aide-mémoire with the President, that the Panamanian Government desires to make available the defense sites without further delay, and that it has been decided so to advise the National Assembly at a conference to be held Monday morning at the Foreign Office. The Minister stated further that for the information of the people at large it is planned to issue an appropriate press communiqué on Monday afternoon. He said that as soon as these steps have been taken the Government will be prepared to discuss the modus operandi for making the tracts immediately available to our military authorities.

The Minister said that somewhat later next week he would hand me a reply to the Department’s aide-mémoire. From his remarks this morning I believe that he will admit [submit?] a counter proposal for the agreement touching jurisdiction and that he will also submit his comments on certain other points. I shall report by air mail regarding this phase of our conversation.

Dawson