Washington, viernes 13 de noviembre

Tal como había sido programado por el secretario de Estado, el 13 de noviembre a las nueve y treinta de la mañana, con gran pompa y ceremonia, Philippe Bunau Varilla, vestido de paletó levita y con un sombrero de copa en la mano, arribaba a la Casa Blanca para pre- sentar sus Cartas Credenciales al presidente de los Estados Unidos. Por deferencia especial del mandatario, que sentía una simpatía muy especial por los niños, al ministro de la nueva República de Panamá le fue otorgada la gracia de llevar consigo, como testigo del acto, a su hijo de trece años, Etienne, que había venido desde Highland Falls especialmente para el evento.

En el Salón Azul, con una amplia sonrisa en el rostro, esperaban Theodore Roosevelt y John Hay. Cumpliendo estrictamente con las normas señaladas por el protocolo, el francés pronunció un breve dis- curso y entregó al presidente el sobre con sus Cartas Credenciales este, sabiendo que contenía un calograma con el sello de la Southern Telegraph, no abrió. Luego invitó a Bunau Varilla a sentarse e inició el diálogo felicitándolo por la independencia recién lograda por su

joven país.

Fue una lucha ardua, organizada impecablemente por mí y eje- cutada con arrojo y astucia por los panameños -respondió Bunau

Varilla.

Roosevelt miró a Hay y peló los dientes. 

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Washington, Friday, November 13

As had been scheduled by the Secretary of State, on November 13 at nine thirty in the morning, with great pomp and ceremony, Philippe Bunau Varilla, dressed in a Levite pallet and with a top hat in his hand, arrived at the White House to present his Letters of Credence to the President of the United States. By special deference of the president, who felt a very special sympathy for the children, the minister of the new Republic of Panama was granted the grace to take with him, as a witness of the act, his thirteen-year-old son, Etienne, who had come from Highland Falls especially for the event.

In the Blue Room, with a broad smile on their faces, Theodore Roosevelt and John Hay waited. Strictly complying with the rules indicated by the protocol, the Frenchman gave a brief speech and delivered to the president the envelope with his Letters of Credence this, knowing that it contained a calogram with the seal of the Southern Telegraph, did not open. He then invited Bunau Varilla to sit down and began the dialogue congratulating him on the independence just achieved by his

young country.

It was an arduous struggle, organized impeccably by me and executed with courage and cunning by the Panamanians, ”Bunau Varilla replied.

Roosevelt looked at Hay and peeled his teeth. 

Washington, Friday, November 13

As scheduled by the Secretary of State, on November 13 at 9:30 a.m., with great pomp and ceremony, Philippe Bunau Varilla, dressed in a frock coat and with a top hat in his hand, arrived at the White House to present his Letters of Credence to the President of the United States. By special deference of the President, who had a special sympathy for children, the Minister of the new Republic of Panama was granted the grace to bring with him, as a witness to the ceremony, his thirteen year old son, Etienne, who had come from Highland Falls especially for the event.

In the Blue Room, with a broad smile on their faces, waited Theodore Roosevelt and John Hay. Strictly complying with the rules indicated by the protocol, the Frenchman pronounced a brief speech and handed the President the envelope with his Letters of Credence, which, knowing that it contained a calogram with the seal of the Southern Telegraph, he did not open. He then invited Bunau Varilla to sit down and began the dialogue by congratulating him on the independence recently achieved by his young country.

It was an arduous struggle, impeccably organized by me and carried out with courage and cunning by the Panamanians," Bunau Varilla replied.

Roosevelt looked at Hay and bared his teeth.