819.74/275

The Minister in Panama (Gonzalez) to the Secretary of State

No. 146

Sir: I have the honor to report that in a recent informal conversation which I had with President Arias, among other things, we discussed his plan concerning the establishment of a radio control board along the line of that suggested by President Roosevelt at the time of President Arias’ conferences in Washington, and President Arias stated that he was working on a Memorandum along the lines suggested so that the matter of radio in Panama would be settled, that in the meantime, [Page 635] however, he was making inquiries from various Broadcasting Concerns in the States as to the minimum cost of installing, for the Panama Government’s use, of a broadcasting system whereby he could speak to his people on government matters and keep them advised as to” what their Government was doing; and that with this in view he had established in the meantime the practice of having press conferences but that even that seemed to be most unsatisfactory because the reporters would never set forth the substance of his remarks in his own words as he would like. He stated that he did not believe that the United States Government would have any objection to his Government having radio broadcasting facilities which would enable him to keep in touch with his people. He stated further, that he would be very glad to be able to have a broadcasting set placed in his office and deliver weekly addresses on matters of interest to his people in the outlying districts who are unable to keep in touch with the activities of the Government and its various Departments.

Respectfully yours,

Antonio C. Gonzalez