Fantastic Fears

While the State and War Departments were busy preparing their replies to the request of the Senate to tell what the Administration knew of British mining concessions obtained in Panama near the Canal (TIME, June 14), newspaper men in London obtained an interview. The interview was with Duncan E. Alves, chairman of the Panama Corporation, Ltd., the company which was formed to exploit the concessions.

Mr. Alves was emphatic: "The concessions had actually passed the Panama Congress and been officially gazetted before the British government even knew that the negotiations were taking place. The British government has no interest of any kind in these concessions.

"The question of rubber planting within the area of the concessions granted has never been contemplated and certainly has never been discussed. . . . American financial interests have not only been associated with the Panama Corporation, but have had the fullest explanation given them of practically every step.

"Although it may be that large areas within the concessions are eminently suited for rubber growing, as has been stated in the American Congress, in any event the concessions do not include the growing of rubber."

At Balboa a representative of the British company ejaculated:

"The Panama Corporation, Ltd., is not interested in rubber planting. We are a mineral mining company, pure and simple. Mr. Richard Marsh's fears and Senator William E. Borah's resolution are fantastic as well as stupid. We do not own the land."