File No. 819.77/133.
The American Minister to the Secretary of State.
Panama, September 3, 1912.
Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 194 of the 24th ultimo as to negotiations proceeding between Señor Carlos Constantino Arosemena, Minister of Public Works, and Messrs. J. M. Hyatt and Robert Wilcox, relative to the signature of the contract between the Panaman Government and these gentlemen for the construction of a railway from Antón to Santiago, etc., I have the honor to inform you [Page 1206] that Señor Chiarí, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has now advised mo that the contract will not be signed by this administration, which, owing to the fact that it is so near its expiration, will not sign any more contracts, believing this to be improper.
I have [etc.]