The sun., 1914-08-16
NO FUSS OVER THE EVENT.
War Department Regards the Open
Ing ms ROutine.

WAsHIHGroN. Aug. i5.--The compile
tion to-day of the stupendous ten years
TASK of the United States Government at
Panama was ignored by the Administra- !
tion here. Tile passing OF the first large
ship through the Panama Canal and the
opening OF the waterway to the commerce
of the world were treated m the light of a
routine incident.
This attitude OF the War Department
was not indicative of indifference. but
merely an impressive demonstration OF
the businessike manner in VIII ch the mill
tary department Of the Government has
handled all matters pertaining to the
canal
Col. Goethals had been authorized to
put a ship through and open the canal
to-day II was assumed that he would
obey his instructions and tina; the officials
here need give no more thought to it.
When Col Goethals formally reports
that he has sent a ,hip through and that
the canal is open % commerce it s prob
able that Secretary Garrison will send
him a message of congratulation. The
expectation is that Col. Goethals's report
will be merely referred to in the daily
routine cable despatch from him.
No Fuss or Feathers.
Col. Goethals himself his been largely
responsible for the lack of any fuss or
feathers in regard to the operations in
the Canal Zone since the army has had
charge OF the work. He has assumed
that he was in full charge and has acted
accordingly. while the War Department.
has also assumed at all times that he was
entirely capable OF conducting the canal
work without any interference from
Washington
Both parties 20 the arrangement have
acted on the theory that each would at
tend 10 its own duties and no other. with
the result that there has been perfect CO.
operation az III tines. Col. Goethals
has made reports only when he has had
something to report and never has in
dulged in the slightest Usteutation a, any
period Of his successes in the canal con-
structior.
This modest course is typical OF the
canal builders personality. He is man
OF action and few words and abhors any
thing vergin5 OH the theatrical
II as probable. however. that more at
tention would have been paid AZ this end
20 the opening of the canal were It not
for the fact that there is TO be formal
and official celebration OF the achieve
ment next March.
An, International naval pageant is TO
pass through the canal with the old
battleship Oregon in the lead. President
Wilson. members of his Cabinet and large
delegations from Congress and representa-
tves from foreign countries are expected
TO take part. 1t is feared, however. that
The war in Europe will seriously affect
the opening ceremonies.
IN view of the situation pNiSting N
Europe the opening of the canal is OF
particular significance The canal is open
to the warshlps of any of the belligerents
as we'll as to the merchantmen of all
nations.
The international status
The international status OF the canal is
provided for in the rules set forth In the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty of 1901 between
the United States and Great Britain. BY
the terms of this treaty the canal is prac-
tlcally neutralized and free to vessels OF
all nations equally, though the right and
responsibility of IT'S defence remains with
the United States
1t is provided that the canal never shall
be blockaded nor shall any act of war be
committed within IT, War vessels of n
beligerent may not revictual nor take
any stores In the canal except as may pe
strictly necessary and the transmission
OF such vessels through ths canal shall
lie effected with the least possible delay.
Beligerents are also prohibited from
disembarking or cmbarking any troops
munitions Of war or warlke materials in
the canal. Other rules In the treaty re-
gardng the vessels of war of a belligerent
are practically Identical with those Of
The Hague conventions and the United
States neutrality proclamations
Great Britain, though successfully op-
s:~ine the claim OF the United States
- n light - exempt American ships from
rtFgr Ns11g hnu glNI 81