Evening star., 1927-11-04
PANAMA OBSERVES
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Youngest American Republic
Marks oath Year-Leqa-
h. ton Here Entertains.

Panama, youngest of the 2l Ameri.
Stwenty.fourth Independence day. re.
calling to countless Washingtonians
= who have come into contact with the
country during service with the Amer.
ican Government on the Canal Zone
or as tourists it's career, which will
reach its quarter-of.a- century mark
next year. The legation of Panama.
located at 1885 New Hampshire ave.
nue.. held a reception last evening in
honor Of the event.
The Pan-American Union, in keep
ing with its mission to develop COM
merce, friendly intercourse, good un.
derstanding and peace among the Re-
publicS of the Western Hemisphere
has a wealth Of information about
Panama at its command. The country
in 1857 square miles in area and has
a population of 446,1 its capital.
Panama, being a city of about so 900
people. In common with most Of the
Psn.American countries. Spanish is
the language of the land.
Many Exports Used Here.
Panama's principal exports are ba-
nanas, coconuts, hides, skins, balata,
rubber, tagua, cacao, mother of pearl.
tortoise shell and medlar gum, much
of this coming to the United States.
This country has q large share in the
sending OF materials to Panama, whose
principal imports are wheat -four, iron,
steel. cotton textiles, mineral oils, rice,
edible animal products, chemicals,
&. ugs, boots. shoes. rubber manufac.
lures and readymade clothing. Com
merce Department figures show that
last year the United States exported to
Panama goods worth $50, 400, 900, but
most of this is considered to be des-
tined for the use of Americans in the
Canal Zone. Panama's exports to all
countries for last year totaled $2,S0g,.
600, while its imports were worth S14..
3ss.0O0.
There are $1,000 persons living un.
der the American flag on the Canal
zone, which has an area of 553.8
square miles. The Zone consists of a
strip of land. 5 miles on either side of
the canal, being so miles from deep
water to deep water.
Failure of the Senate of Colombia
to ratify treaty with the United
states concerning a canal is given as
the reason for Panama becoming in
dependent. AS an outgrowth OF this,
the United States paid to Colombia the
sum of $4,000, 900, in five annual in.
stallments.
a SAtiouS pOiuI dbOut the actual IN
dependence day of Panama has been
brought to light. Official documents.
including those President Roosevelt
and Secretary of State John Hay
transmitted to Congress at its request
and the proclamation OF independence
or the Panamans themselves, show
that the birth Of the Republic actu.
ally took place on November 4. Pan.
anna passed law, however. on Octo-
ber 4. 1910, setting November as the
country's Independence day.
Stirred by Opposition.
At the time Panama became indie
pendent the question Of building a
canal across Nicaragua was being ac. |
lively agitated, and the Panamans
feared that If Panama did not get the |
route the country would suffer a grave
economic loss. The failure of the cele-
brated Frenchman. Ferdinand de Les
seps, who had gained renown in con. |
structing the Suez Canal in 1859 so, to |
push his project for canal in Panama |
was then fresh i'm mind. In this con.
nection it is interesting to note that |
the United States. under the Bryan. |
Chamorro treaty OF June "a, 1915, has
the right forever to construct q canal
In Nicaragua, with q s9-year right to |
establish a naval base In the Gulf of |
Fonseca, on the Pacific, and to occupy
the two islands in the CarribeAr,. the
Great and Little Corn Islands. The
United States has never availed itself |
OF this treaty's provisions.
Under the United States treaty with