The Washington herald., 1921-05-03
Near-Ultimatum Is Deliv-
cred in Dispute Over
: Boundary.
GETS REASONABLE
TIME TO COMPLY
America to Take Action
Unless Occupied Land
Is Vacated.

Unless the government of Pan
ANA complies with the boundary
awards which the United States has
approved in PanamSs dispute with
Costa Rica, this government will be
compelled to proceed in, the man
ner which may be requisite"
This assertion. approaching an
ultimatum. is made by Secretary OF
State Hughes in his latest note to
Panama. but no time limit is fixed
in which Panama must act. 1t is
believed at the State Department
that Panama will comply with the
demand of this government. within
q short time, and that ne severer
steps will be required. 1t is in
dicated. however, that IL Panama
does not transfer the territory un-
der dispute, the United States may
serve an ultimatfm.
Allows Reasonable Time.
In Secretary Hughes note, made
pubIic at the State Department,
Panama is asked to comply with
in a reasonable time.
''Recause of our friendship for
Panama and our desire that peace
be maintained in Central America,
tn. note sets forth. the United
states feels compelled TO state that
IL expects the government OF Pan
anna to take steps promptly to trans
fer the exercise Of jurisdiction from
the territory awarded to Costa
Rica by the Loubet award. at pres
ent occupied by the civil authori-
ties of Panama, in an orderly man
ner. to the government of Costa
Rica-'
The demand is also made that
the Panaman government lay down
the boundary line on the Atlantlc
side, as determined by Chief Jus
tice White.
Aftitude Made Clear.
The American communication Is a
reply to a note from Panama, re-
ceived April 81, in which Panama
replied to a previous American de-
mand but sought to evade fulhll-
ment of the boundary decisions.
Pointing out the surprise and re-
gret" with which Panama's last
note was received. the United States
reviews the dispute and reiterates
that Panama must respect her in
ternational obligations by recogniz-
ing the re-established boundaries.
Replying to Panamas suggestion
that this country is the guarantor
of Panaman independence, the
United States declares she cannot
interpret her obligations to Panama
as embracing an obligation to sup
port any claims for adjoining ter
ritory.
Note is Vigorous.
The American note is both vigor-
Gus and pointed. declaring further
that our duty to Panama also re-
quires that We investigate the
merits of boundary controversies
and that we assure ourselves that
Panama faithfully perform her in
ternational obligations.
Panama is told that her rights of
jurisdiction and sovereignty do not
entitle her ito demand the occupas
tion of territory which is not a part
of the Republic of Panama and has
been conclusively adjudged to be-
long to Costa Rica.''
The United States also reminds
Panama that the award of the
frencn HEesloenI, LouDet, on the
Pacific side. was heretofore form
all recognized by the Panaman
government as clear and indis-
putable."
Cases Separated.
The note informs Panama that
4 cr contentious with respect to the
White award on the Atlantic side
cannot be deemed by this govern
Sent to affect in any manner the
tinality of the Loubet award with
respect to the boundary line upon
the Pacific side"
There appears to be no founda-
tion for the claim" the note adds,
"that the government of Panama is
entitled to retain territory on the
Pacific side which confessedIy does
not belong to Panama because Pan
ANA is not satisfied with the
award of the Chief Justice of the
United States as to other territory
on the Atlantic side"
Denying that there is any valid
ground for objection to the White
award, the United States also re-
fuses to consider the suggestion
that the dispute be settled by
means of q plebiscite