Grand Forks daily herald. (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1914-1916, 1914-12-14
COCKTAILS WANTS
BOATS TO GUARD
U. S. NEUTRALITY
Makes Request for two Fast
Torpedo Boat Destroyers
at the Canal Zone.
WIRELESS WORK OF
BELLIGERENTS BUSY
Action of Golfers in Disregarding In
ternational Law Set Forth rs Basis
for Plea-Second Inquiry Made To-
day. -.
WIRELESS WORK OF
BELLIGERENTS BUSY

Washington, Dec. 14.-Colonel
Goetlhals, governor of the Pana-
ma canal zone, today reiterated
his request that two torpedo
boat destrOyers be sent to zono
waters to prevent violation of
neutrality through the misuse of
wireless, and taking on of sup
plies by belligerent vessels.
Assumes Great Importance.
Secretary Garrison declined to dis
cuss the situation in the canal zone
or to indicate which of the belliger.
ents is violating the neutrality of the
United States. 1t is known, however
that the Australian collier Mallina
which recently left Balboa without
clearance papers, has been under
close observation by Panama canal
officials. That ship, as well as other
golfers, have been suspected Of sup
plying British ships in Pacific waters
The alleged violations Of the canal
zone shipping regulations have been
the basis of strong representations to
the British minister at Panama.
The Lamson, Worden, Terry Per-
kins and Walker are in reserve at
Charleston, s. c.. and one or more
Of these vessels could be dispatched
to the canal waters Immediately. On
sells are lying Off San Diego.
Garrison Issues Statement.
Because of the confidential nature
ef Colonel Cocktails dispatch, sSecre-
tary Garrison declined to make it pub
lie. He issued this statement, how
ine sabstsncs or tho di.,patsh III i.
that in Colonel GoetheIs Judgment,
misuse Of radio communications with
in canal waters and the prevention
Of the misuse Of these waters as a
base of supplies, require the presence
Of swift moving ships Of the variety
mentioned. Since the questions in
volved require the consideration of
the state department and the navy de-
. partment. as well as my own. I have
taken the matter up with the other
departments and as soon as the re-
quirements are fully ascertained pro-
per action will be taken to meet
them"
Panama, Dec. 14.-Colonel George
w. Goethals, governor Of the canal
zone, was impelled to suggest to the
government at Washington that two
stroyers be stationed at the Panaroa
canal. one at each end. by the recent
activity Of the belligerent warships
and colliers in the vicinity of the 18TH
mian waterway.
The action Of the Australian collier
Mallina, which left Balboa without
clearance papers, and the fact that
this and other colliers have shown a
disposition to disregard the canal zone
shipping laws, actuated Colonel Co
ethals to take decisive step.
Nearly all the colliers which have
gathered in canal waters arrived with
out health certificates and in several
instances the ships sailed without
clearance papers. 1t Is presumed that
the steamers met and coaled the AUS
tralian and English feet which recent
ly concentrated in the vicinity of the
Pearl Islands, which lie sixty miles
southwest of Panama City.
The United States torpedo boat de-
stroyers requested by the governor are
expected to do patrol duty and to
overhaul any belligerent craft at
tempting to disregard the canal regu-
lations
Alleged violations of the canal
shipping laws. have, it is said, been
the subject Of complaint to Sir Claude
c. Mallett. British minister to Panama
and also have resulted in causing or
ders to be given the fortifcations to
prevent unneutral colliers remaining
in ports on the canal zone in disre-
gard of the orders of the canal au-
thorities.
In the case Of the collier Mallins it
is stated she arrived without clear
ance papers. or health certificate,
and with no coal. or supplies. She
attempted to buy $4,000 worth Of sup
plies, consisting largely of articles in
tended for Christmas dinner for a
large force. She was refused the sup
plies and was ordered to depart be-
cause she refused to state her destin-
alton, as required by the canal zone
laws. The collier Protesilaus is point
ed to similar case. g
It Is stated there has been much
wireless interference in canal waters
on the part of eight colliers which
recently were In the vicinity Of the
canal and also by large warship fleets,
reported to be within twenty-five miles
of both ends of the canal.
Washington Surprised.
Washington, Dec 14.-The request