Evening star., 1921-03-29
PANAMA IN DANGER
If U.SESPURNED
President Porras So Says. N
Backing White Award.
New War Feared.
BY the Associated Press.

| BY the Associated Pr~ss
PANAMA, March ee.-Refusal on the
part of Panama to accept the decision
of Chief Justice White of the United
| States Supreme Court fixing the
! boundary between this country and
Costa Rica might lead TO serious con
sequences for Panama. declared the
message of President Porras. which
was read yesterday before the ex-
traordinary session of the national as
sembly.
President Porras asserted that nom
j acceptance Of TIE White award would
| result in the United States withdraw
| ing her friendly offices, which recent
! ly ended hostilities with Costa Rica.
and that warfare would be resumed.
| He declared that Costa Rica would re-
ceive arms and support from other
Central American republics while
| Panama would be without means OF
defense.
| A committee of seven deputies was
| named for the purpose of studying
fhe note to the Panaman government
! from Secretary of State Charles r.
Hughes. which suggested the ac"ept-
ance of the White award. The COM
'niltee viii also consider the reply Of
! Panama. which has been drafted and
: q
nent citizens OF this country. This
! projected reply would oppose ac"ept-
ance OF the White award and would
suggest that other means for reach
/ ing peaceful settlement be found.
| Given Five Day. 10 Report.
The committee was given five days
in which to make its report. hut ad-
ministration leaders stated last night
| that they believed the national assem-
! bly, would not accept the responsible
| ity of either recommending accept
ance or non acceptance of the White
award. They asserted il would aga in
/ place the burden upon the executive
J department.
! The paragraph of the presidential
/ message relative to the Panaman re-
ply to the note from Secretary Hughes
f, follows:
Reply to Hughes Note.
The executive has taken into con-
sderation the gravest situation Gre
! ated as a result of the American note.
| and has drafted reply which the
! foreign office will submit to the as
! sembly. This reply has not as yet
! been forwarded. since the executive
| department considers il as compris-
ing resolutions of vital importance
| to the country. which cannot be taken
| by single governmental department.
| The reply discusses with the calm
ness and respect due the United
States government and people the
viewpoints of both governments. and
! it is presumed that further study of
! the question by the United States gov
ernment will permit the finding of a
! peaceful and decorous solution. which,
while settling forever this lamentable
controversy. will at the same time
contribute toward the re-establish-
ment of peace between Panama and
Costa Rica-
1T is necessary in adopting this
measure, however. to be counseled
by well understood prudence and pa
count the alternatives which might
be the result of the attitude assumed
by Panama"
Propose sI.ooo.000 Loan.
Proposals by the administration for
another internal loan of 1,000, goo
! and the question of the appointment
OF a commission OF Panaman
decision in line with the suggestion
of the United States regarding the de-
termination Of the Costa Rican from
tier on the Atlantic side Of the
Brought Brought up before the f, epsraordi%ary ordinary
session of the Panama assembly,
which began yesterday afternoon be-
hind closed doors.
In connection with the appointment
of the Panaman boundary commits
| sion. President Porras is inviting the
Cuban international lawyer. Antonio
Sanchez de Bustamente. to come to
| Panama from Havana for the purpose
tof cooperating with the commission.
It is understood that the whole COM
| mission will report on the question OF
/ acceptance or non-acceptance of the
/ suggestion made by Secretary of State
Hughes that the border trouble with
Costa Rica be settled along the lines
of the award of Chief Justice White
T; of the United States Supreme Court
Meanwhile. the note of Mr.. Hughes
containing the suggestion for accept
| ance of the award has not been an
| swered.
| Cable dispatches received from the
Panamanian representatives in Wash
| ington indicate that the State Depart
ment there is showing increased i'm
patience because of Panama's delay
! in replying to the note. Meanwhile
the Panaman newspapers are de-
voting columns Of space daily to in
| tricate arguments showing why Pan
anna cannot accept the White award.