811F.504/165
The Ambassador in Panama (Dawson) to
the Secretary of State
No. 231
Panama, January 3, 1940.
[Received January
9.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose for the
information and files of the Department a copy of a note (No. 142 of
January 3, 1940) concerning the contemplated importation of labor to be
recruited in Jamaica for work in the Canal Zone. This note has been
addressed to the Panamanian Foreign Office by the Embassy at the
suggestion of Governor Ridley.54
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure]
The American Ambassador (Dawson) to the Panamanian Minister for Foreign
Affairs (Garay)
No. 142
Panama, January 3, 1940.
Excellency: Governor Ridley has requested
me to advise Your Excellency’s Government that the Canal Zone is
faced with a very large construction program requiring the
employment of labor beyond the capacity of the Isthmus, and that for
this reason arrangements have been made with the British Government
whereby the additional labor required will be recruited in Jamaica.
It is expected that on January 5 a representative of the Panama
Canal will be sent to Jamaica to make the necessary preliminary
plans and arrangements.
Governor Ridley requests particularly that, in bringing this
information to the attention of the Government of Panamá, Your
Excellency be informed that he is proceeding on the following
principles:
- First, in general, labor will be brought from Jamaica only
to the extent that the Isthmus is not able to furnish
it.
- Second, all labor brought from Jamaica will be housed on
the Canal Zone.
- Third, all labor brought from Jamaica will be repatriated
immediately after discharge.
In conclusion, Governor Ridley asks me to state that every effort
will be made to protect the interests of the Government of Panama in
the contemplated importation of labor, and that the labor is being
brought in only because the labor supply on the Isthmus is not
sufficient to perform the work to be done.
Accept [etc.]
[File copy not signed]
