Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-14
PANAMA PROTESTS
j. S. SEEING HILL
Canal Republic Declares Force
and Undiplomatic Methods
Used in Taking Land
DENIES "PROTECTORATE''
BY the Associated Press

Panama, Jan. 14.-Action by United
States officers in taking possession of n
small tract of ground east of Colon, on
Bahia de Las Mnas. has resulted in
the dispatch to Washington of for
NAL and energetic protest by the Pan
aman government. On the tract of
ground involved is a hill. which Is
the eastern entrance of the Panama
canal.
The note protests against "the act
of force by which the United States
took possession of the land, and was
sent on January IL to the Panaman
charge d'afaires in Washington, who
was instructed to present it at the State
Department. 1t was signed by II. j.
AlfarO. secretary of the inferior and of
justice, and in charge Of ofreign rela-
tions of the republic.
It is alleged the proceedings were
carried out in an undiplomatic manner,
and fears are expressed that precedent
which may be dangerous may have been
established.
1t is asserted that the foreign office
received on December 90 a note from
c. A. McIlvainc. executive secretary of
the Canal Zone government, relative
to the land in question. which comprises
about go acres.
Secretary McIlvanc is quoted as say
ing the United States was going to
take possession of the land under the
provisions of the treaty between Panama
and the United State" Secretary
Alfaro declares in the note to Wash
ington that the communication from the
Canal Zone government was not an
swcred Immediately because il has not
been considered by President Porras and
his cabinet.
President Porras. the note declares,
sreived on December so note from
Colonel J. ]. Morrow. acting governor
Of the canal zone, stating the land had
"becn taken for the defense of the
canal" under the provisions Of the Hay
Narila treaty, Article ii of that con-
vention being quoted as authority for
the action.
Assertion is made that this action
was without the consent of the pana =
man Government. the right of the
United States to select and occupy ter
ritOry unde" the treaty without the con-
sent of Panama is denied, and it is de-
clared that development of this pro-
codurp would give the United States
the right to occupy the entire Panama
republic should it be deemed necessary.
for canal purposes.
In addition to protesting against
"thc act of force. Secretary Alfaro
asserts negotiations involving the appli-
cation of the provisions of L., Hay y.
NariIla treaty must be" conducted
through diplomatic channels, and not
through canal zone officials.
Another protest sent to Washington
takes exception to portion of an opin-
ion recently handed down by District
Judge John W. IIanan, the highest
United States judicial authority in the
canal zone. This opinion contained II
statement to the effect that since tn"
signing of the treaty of February 2G,
1904. Panama has been "a protcctOratc
of the United States and occupying n
position similar to that Of Cuba" The
truth of this statement is denied. Judge
IIanan's opinion upheld the right OF
bringing judicial proceedings in the
canal zone in the name Of the United
states instead of the zone government.