The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-01-14
j. s. ACTION
IS PROTESTED
BY PANAMA
Seizure of Small Tract of
Ground East of Colon Cause
of Energetic Protest to
Washington. ..--
PRECEDENT IS FEARED
(By Associated Press.)

PANAMA, Jan. 14.-Action by Unit
ed States officers in taking possession
of small tract of ground east of
Colon, on Bahia de las Minas, has re-
suited in the dispatch to Washington
of a formal and energetic protest by
the government of Panama. On the
tract of ground involved is a hill,
which is said to be adapted for works
defending 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 Jan. IL to the Panama charge
d'affairs in Washington, who was In
structed to present it at the state de-
partment. 1t was signed by r. j. Al
faro. secretary of the Interior and of
Justice and in charge of foreign rela-
tions of the republic
Fear Precedent.
1t is alleged the proceedings were
carried out in an undiplomatic manner
and fears are expected that a prece-
cent which may be dangerous may
have been established.
1t is asserted that the foreign office
received on Dec. 20 a note from G. A.
McIlvaine, executive secretary of the
canal zone government relative to the
island in question which comprises
about $50 acres.
Secretary McIlvaine is quoted as
saying the United States was "going
to take possession of the land under
the provisions of the treaty between
Panama and the United States"
Explains Delay.
Secretary Alfaro declares in the
note to Washington that the commune
cation from the canal zone government
was not answered Immediately be-
cause it had not been considered by
President Porras and his cabinet.
President Porras, the note declares,
received on December 30th a note
from Colonel J. J. Morrow, acting
governor of the canal zone, stating
the land had been taken for the de.
fense of the canal under the provis-
ions Of the Hay-Varilla treaty. Article
2 of that convention being quoted as
authority for the action.
Consent Lacking.
Assertion is made that this action
was without the consent of the Pan
anna government, the right of the
United States to select and occupy
territory under the treaty without the
consent of Panama is denied. and it
is declared that development of this
procedure 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 the
act of force" Secretary Alfaro asserts
negotiations involving the application
of the provisions of the Hay-Varillt
treaty must be conducted through
diplomatic channels, and not through
canal zone officials.
Except Opinion.
Another protest sent to Washington
takes exception to q portion Of an
opinion recently handed down by Dis
trict Judge John w. Hannah. the high
est United States judicial authority in
the canal zone.
This opinion contained statement
to the effect that since the signing OF
the treaty of Feb. 26. 1904. Panama
has been "a protectorate of the United
States, and occupying a position sim
liar to that of Cuba. The truth OF
this statement is denied. Judge Han
mans opinion upheld the right o.
bringing judicial proceedings in the
canal zone in the name of the United
States instead of the zone govern
ment