Evening star., 1948-01-21
Panama's Case for Base Lease,


1t was only few weeks ago that the news
of Panama's refusal to let the U. S. Army keep
its bases on Panamanian territory was crowd
ing domestic and European news from the
front pages: yet complete silence prevails
today regarding the issue. AL this talk about
a new canal through Nicaragua or Colombia
has subsided as If by magic. Some sensible
person In the State Department must have
made the congressman sponsoring this fan
tastic and unnecessary project see the light.
The denial by the National Assembly was
not under any circumstances, Communist
inspired affair like some evil-minded politi-
clans and uninformed columnists were trying
to prove. People realized how unfair and
unjust 1t would be to abide by such an agree
ment. 1t is only logical that a new treaty
based on justice and good will, should be for
mulated.
The U. S., having the leadership of the
democratic forces of the world will have to
recognize the dignity and pride of small
country which always has looked upon the
U. S. as the true defender of the rights and
autonomy of weaker nations
believe that nothing can stand in the way
of working out a new treaty satisfactory to
all parties concerned, II the following five
points are taken into consideration:
period of five years. If world conditions would
endanger the security of the Canal and the
continent, prudential extension should be
worked out by both governments.
2. Elimination Of the unbelievable discrim-
inatory practice carried out by civil and mill
tary personnel Of the United States. It is a
sad experience to hear seemingly responsible
individuals brag about equality of oppor-
tunity" "all men are born equal" equal
justice under the law" and at the same time
see them practicing two-type citizens policy.
Communism as destructive, corrosive, rev.
olutionary system of the negative type, has but
a handful of followers in Panama. It is re-
markable, to say the least, to see how few
there are when one takes into consideration
the failure of democracy, as practiced by u S.
citizens right in their midst.
g. Realization that the Canal is not only an
interocean waterway but vital strategic
point as well as formidable factor In shap-
ing the economic development Of the whole
Western Hemisphere
L. Recognition of Panama's sovereignty over
bases situated on Panamanian territory, and
the subsequent jurisdictional right on civil and
judicial matters when it involves persons other
than United States citizens.
5. Since the territory on which the bases
are situated expands over approximate
area OF about 10000 acres, 1t is only fair that
Panama should receive adequate compensa-
tion It Is hard to believe that the U. S.
with such high appropriations for the so-called
,r laid to Europe" would oppose the spending
Of a relatively small amount OF its Latin
American friends. Countries who sincerely
and enthusiastically share the burdens Of
war and peace get but disdainful "nanana."
MIGUEL A. CORRo
Statement for Harrington Association
To the Editor of The Star:
In the January is issue of The Star you pub
lished letter from a harrington tenant over
the signature, Tenant for Two Years. which
attempted to smear a majority of the tenants
of darlington with the charge of communism.
Since have lived in Harrington for four years
and have worked with the darlington Civic
Association from the time of its founding, I
cannot let these charges go unanswered.
The purpose of the association is to devise
ways and means and to take action to promote
the general welfare of darlington and its resi-
dents. A majority If not all, of It's officers are
members of local churches. In addition, an
Advisory Council consisting of representatives
from all organized groups in Harrington assists
the association In the formulation and accom-
plshment of plans concerning major problems
confronting the community. These groups in
clude the five local churches, the PTA, Boy
Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and the
Brownies.
While Harrington was operated by Defense
Homes Corp the attitude of the management
generally was cooperative At present the
tenants can judge the attitude of the Fairmac
Corp. only by its actions since for many months
it has failed to reply to the associations request
for a statement of It's position with regard to
recreational facilities. The only reply has been
in the form of repeated requests for more money
from the tenants, while admitting that hard
ship is not involved.
While awaiting the Fairmac Corp. action, the
darlington Association made very careful
survey and with the aid of the Advisory Coun-
ill, previously mentioned, formulated a compre
hensive plan to provide the proper facilities,
adequate space and competent leadership for
an overall program of civic, cultural and rec
reational facilities. This plan, the cost of which
was to be borne by the tenants themselves.
although it would greatly increase the value
of the property was presented to the manager
of the Fairmac Corp. many months ago. To
date no reply has been received even though
The request has been repeated.
Practically all OF the recreational equipment
In Harrington was obtained through the efforts
of the Harrington Association. The association
has continued to raise money for recreational
purposes and, through paper salvage alone, has
raised several thousand dollars in recent
months The tenants, including Tenant for
Two Years." were asked to contribute money
for swings, slides and for general recreational
purposes While much equipment has been
Installed, delivery on some items is slower than
delivery on new cars. Furthermore, all funds
are accounted for and the amount accredited
to any block may be ascertained from the treas
urer at any time.
In the recent epidemic Of basement fires IN
Fairlington the Fairmac Corp charged arson