Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-12-15
ENFORCING PANAMA CANAL
s.. NEUTRALITY. !

Col. Cocktails repeated requests that thu
navy department send vessels to enforce neu
trality in the Panama Canal Zone indicates {
situation of some seriousness there While ht
has given little indication as to the details Of
breaches of neutrality, he hints that it is il
regard to the use of radio or wireless messages
within forbidden waters.
The neutrality regulations at the Canal Zone
are quite definite and strict. There ought te
be no misunderstanding, on the. part of bel
igerents, as to what they can and cannot will
prupriety do in Panamanian waters.
With the outbreak of the European war, AGA
demic questions of neutrality were at once
Transformed into exceedingly practical and i'm
mediate questions. In many eases the existing
treaties, agreements or rules proved insufficient
to cover points of detail and interpretations
were. necessary.
The state department found lack of pre-.
cision in regard to the Canal Zone and to settle
moot points there was issued proelama
tion,,by President Wilson supplementing The
existing regulations for the preservatioHto 81
neutrality in the canal itself and throughout
the entire Canal Zone
The tremendous new factor Of aerial naviga
ton has caused the inclusion Of prohibition t.
aircraft Of belligerent powers bidding then
to rise or descend to canal zone territory or te
pass through the air spaces above the land
OF water Of the zone q
.Iisalso forbids any use Of wireless telegraph
by belIigerent vessels within zone jurisdiction
except on business ii ntipuMiththe canal
Co. Goethals has probably found this regula
ton violated BY belligeYent vessels.
Belligerent powers are forbi by the proc
lamation to embark or esnbafk troops, wal
munitions or warlike materials in the zone ex
cepf ia case Of necessity due to accia Gent Bel
Iioefent vessels are not to femain in the cana
zone territorial waters long than kenty -foul
hours at any time except when IN STRESS an6
tie old requirement. 81 tWe1ty fotn hours be
tween departures Of opposing bslligerepts i
fefained
Only in case Of actual distretH an TO make
4 vessel. seawortliy may the United States re
pair Facilities and docks be used BY belligereu
Sliiis. and5the work must be done speedliy I'm
der superyision Of canal aathasties
l,kcept BY special Arrangement tileresslis
lot be at any one time more than three we'
vessels of any one nation, including thosese
The allies. in either terminal water, nor nor,
than three such vessels in transit through tn
canal or more than is at one, time Il al th'
ierfitorial wafers Of the zone. When opI,osint
bellieerent ships are siInultaneo usly present
TIE twenty four hour rnle of departare mus
beobserved between them, order or departure
Is be determined BY order Of arrival exeels
where circumstances make extensions OF sta
permissible. a belligerent vessel must no
leave within twenty -four hours after departur'
Of an adversary Is private vessel.
The proclamation defines warship as
public armed vessel, commanded by q duly com
missioned government officer, with q crew IN
der regular discipline, the vessel being quallilet
by armament and personnel to take offensive
action against the enemy's public or prisat.
ships Except as to hospital ships, the saml
treatment is to be given every vessel, bellfgef
chi or neutral, armed or not, that does not fal
hnder this definition when it is employed BY
belRgerent power as a transport, feet anxiliar,
a. otherwise to aid hostilities.
Passage through the canal is to be accorded
1nlV sneon written assurance by commander
~ observance Of regulations, Belligerent ships
arc not to revictual nor take on coal except a
nay be strictly necessary. Prizes Of war ar
"a Is .oyerned BY the same rules.
s. IL u ~ NJ -