Panama: Ambassador in Motion

Bearing gifts, 4,000 Panamanians jammed into Panama City's National Gymnasium last week for a tumultuous farewell celebration. Peasants from the interior of the isthmus presented fancy wickerwork baskets they had made. In shirtsleeves and bright native costumes, they waved flags, cheered, sang, wept, and danced the tamborito. Dancing, singing and weeping along with them was the guest of honor, no Panamanian politician of the people, but Joseph Simpson Farland, 49, the departing U.S. ambassador.

Lure of the Land. Panamanians could not remember when one of their own, much less a Yankee ambassador, had received such a spontaneous tribute. But Farland...

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