File No. 819.00/405.

The American Minister to the Secretary of State.

No. 134.]

Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 130 of the 14th instant, I have the honor to inform you that the preliminary consultation therein mentioned between the committee and the representatives of the Panaman Government and both political parties for the purpose of considering suitable measures to insure fairness in the registration of voters and the subsequent presidential election took place at the Legation on the 15th instant. I inclose a copy of the report1 of this consultation, from which it will be seen that the committee decided upon the following measures:

(1)
The period for the registration of voters to be extended from May 15 to May 31, the Government agreeing to issue the necessary decrees still further to prolong this period if necessary.
(2)
All registration to be supervised by representatives of the committee. To facilitate this all registration places to be arranged in itineraries, upon each of which should be sent one representative of the committee, who would be accompanied by one representative of the candidacy of Señor Diaz and one of that of Dr. Porras. Upon their arrival at each registration place registration to begin and continue [Page 1144] daily until complete. The maintenance of order in and about the registration places to be entirely under the authority of the supervisor, who, while observing the proceedings, would also use his friendly offices when necessary to compose differences, without, however, having any right to issue any order as to registration.
(3)
The Panaman Government to pay all expenses of supervision and to deposit an installment of $7,500 now with the disbursing officer of the Isthmian Canal Commission, who would take entire Chargé of all accounts, eventually presenting them with vouchers to the Panaman Government.
(4)
The Government and each political party to appoint two representatives with whom the committee could confer when it desired to do so.
(5)
Regarding the question of adopting the census as a basis for registration, as desired by the Unión Patriótica but opposed by the Porrista party, the committee decided that this was not a question properly for its consideration, it being only concerned with the proper registration of all those entitled and not with what lists might be used in this connection.

These decisions received the unqualified approval of the Government representatives and those of both parties. I may add that throughout the meeting all these representatives appeared disposed to cooperate in assisting the committee to fulfill its instructions.

In accordance with the directions of the committee, I subsequently drafted instructions to be given to each of the supervisors of registration and these were approved practically without change. I inclose a printed copy of them.1 Copies of these instructions are also to be furnished to the Government and to the representatives of both parties accompanying the supervisors.

I have further made a short code to enable the supervisors to communicate confidentially with the committee.

The committee met again on the 18th instant, no others being present, and agreed to the itinerary prepared by the Panaman Government. As according to this itinerary all registration places are included in thirteen routes, it was decided to send—thirteen representatives only being required—twelve officers of the Tenth Infantry Regiment stationed in the Zone and one officer of the Marine Battalion, also stationed here, all of whom were available and spoke Spanish. The committee considered military officers to be especially adapted to duties of this nature, involving tact, ability to maintain order, and strict compliance with instructions. It considered also the prestige which military men enjoy in this country, the saving of expense to the Panaman Government, as no salaries would have to be paid, and the benefit which the knowledge to be gained of the country would be to the officers themselves.

The Panaman Government has now paid to the disbursing officer of the Isthmian Canal Commission the $7,500 agreed upon, and all arrangements have been completed for the departure of all the supervisors, with the representatives of both parties accompanying them, on the 23d instant, except those for Panama City and Colon, who began supervision yesterday.

[Page 1145]

The proceedings of the committee have naturally excited much interest and have been extensively published and commented upon in the press of both parties, especially the Porrista. All comment has thus far been extremely and universally favorable.

I have [etc.]

H. Percival Dodge.
  1. Not printed.
  2. Not printed.