secretary of the embassy of the United States of America as chargé d'affaires ad interim, and the latter continues here in the free exercise of his functions; and without reason, because, I repeat, we have not given the slightest pretext. The confidential agent may believe that solely because of the sincere esteem in which the people and the Government of the United States of America are held by the people and Government of Mexico, and because of the consideration which it has for all friendly nations and especially in this case for those which have offered their good offices), my Government consented to take into consideration, and to answer as briefly as the matter permits, the representations of which you are the bearer. Otherwise, it would have rejected them immediately because of their humiliating and unusual character, hardly admissible even in a treaty of peace after a victory, inasmuch as in a like case any nation which in the least respects itself would do likewise. It is because my Government has confidence in that when the justice of its cause is reconsidered with serenity and from a lofty point of view by the present President of the l'nited States of America, whose sense of morality and uprightness are beyond question, that he will withdraw from his attitude and will contribute to the renewal of still firmer bases for the relations of sincere friendship and good understanding forcibly imposed upon us throughout the centuries by our geographical nearners, something which neither of us can change, even though we would so desire, by our mutual interests and by our share of activity in the common sense of prosperity, welfare, and culture, in regard to which we are pleased to acknowledge that you are enviably ahead of us. With reference to the final part of the instructions of President Wilson, which I beg to include herewith and which say, "If Mexico can suggest any better way in which to show our friendship, serve the people of Mexico, and meet our international obligations, we are more than willing to consider the suggestion," that final part causes me to propose the following equally decorous arrangement: One, that our ambassador be received in Washington; two, that the l'nited States of America send us a new ambassador, without previous conditions. And all this threatening and distressing situation will have reached a happy conclusion; mention will not be made of the causes which might carry us, if the tension persists, to no one knows what incalculable extremities for two peoples who have the unavoidable obligation to continue being friends, provided, of course, that this friendship is based upon mutual respect, which is indispensable between two sovereign entities wholly equal before law and justice. In conclusion, permit me, Mr. Confidential Agent, to reiterate to you the assurances of my perfect consideration. F. GAMBOA, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic. DECLARATION EFFECTED BY EXCHANGE OF NOTES BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND PANAMA PERMITTING CONSULS TO TAKE NOTE IN PERSON OR BY AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES, OF DECLARATIONS OF VALUES 1 OF EXPORTS MADE BY SHIPPERS BEFORE CUSTOMS OFFICERS Signed at Washington, April 17, 1918 The undersigned, W. J. BRYAN, Secretary of State of the United States of America, duly authorized thereto, in virtue of a reciprocal Declaration made by J. E. Lefèvre, Chargé d'Affaires of the Republic of Panama at Washington, does hereby declare that from and after June 1, 1913, and until the expiration of one month after the date on which either the United States of America or the Republic of Panama shall give notice of the withdrawal of said Declaration, the consuls of the Republic of Panama in the United States of America shall be permitted to take note in person, or through their authorized representatives, of the declaration made by shippers before the American customs officers in which they state the value of the merchandise exported to the Republic of Panama. The consuls of the Republic of Panama shall be given certified copies of the said declarations when requested by them. W. J. BRYAN, Secretary of State of the United States. WASHINGTON, April 17, 1913. The undersigned, J. E. LEFÈVRE, Chargé d'Affaires of the Republic of Panama at Washington, duly authorized thereto, in virtue of a reciprocal Declaration made by W. J. BRYAN, Secretary of State of the 1 U. S. Treaty Series, No. 578. United States of America, does hereby declare that from and after June 1, 1913, and until the expiration of one month after the date on which either the Republic of Panama or the United States of America shall give notice of the withdrawal of said Declaration, the consuls of the United States of America in the Republic of Panama shall be permitted to take note in person, or through their authorized representatives, of the declaration made by shippers before the customs officers of the Republic of Panama in which they state the value of the merchandise exported to the United States of America. The consuls of the United States of America shall be given certified copies of the said declarations when requested by them. (SEAL.) J. E. LEFÈVRE, Chargé d'Affaires of the Republic of Panama. WASHINGTON, April 17, 1913. |