819.01/12–2949
The Ambassador in Panama (Davis) to the Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs (Miller)
Dear Ed:
. . . . . . .
Here in Panama the reaction to our recognition of the present Government has been very good. Many Panamanians and Americans have expressed the opinion that the Department handled the whole thing well and timed its recognition just right. The principal preoccupation of the country people was the fear that we might not “let [Page 744] them have” the man of their choice, so the reaction of the people favorable to the Government was one of frank relief and outright friendliness. The American community was virtually unanimous in favoring early recognition, and even Panamanians bitterly opposed to Arnulfo Arias recognized our course as inevitable.
. . . . . . .
Sincerely yours,