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

Col. Goethals' repeated requests that the
navy department send vessels to enforce neu
trality in the Panama Canal Zone indicates a
situation of some seriousness there. While he
has given little indication as to, the details OF
breaches of neutrality, he hints that it is IN
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 to
be no misunderstanding on the part of bel,
ligerents as to what they can and cannot with
propriety 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 cases the existing
treaties agreements or rules proved Insufficient
to cover points of detail and interpretations
we're necessary. ,.s..,..As....:s {st ...-<
The state. department found d lack of pre-
eision in regard to the Canal Zone and to settle
moot points there was issued Proclama
ton By President Wilson supplementing tho
existing regulations for the preservation OF
neutrality in the canal itself and throughout
the entire Canal Zone.
The tremendous new factor of aerial nayiga
tion has caused the inclusion of prohibition tc
aircraft Of belIigerent powers, forbidding them
to rise or descend to canal zone territory or to
epass through the air spaces above the land
or water of the zone.
s. Il also forbids any use Of wireless telegraph
BIZ bellieerent vessels within zone jurisdiction
except on business in connect ton, with the canal
Col Goethals has probably found this regula
ton violated BY belligerent vessels.
Belligerent powers are forbid den by the proc
slnation to embark or disernbark troops, wal
munitions or warlike materials in the zone, ex
tspt IN case of necessity due to accident. Bel
lieerent vessels are not to remain in the cana
zone territorial waters longer than twenty-foul
Ioursat any time except whensin Distress ant
Tie old requirement Of twenty-four hours be
tween departures of opposing belligerents i
stained
Only IN case Of actual distress and to MAKE
vessel seaworthy may the United States re
1sir facilities and docks be used by beIligeren
.h;ps. and the work must be done speedily I'm
|er supervision Of canal authorities.
Except BY special arrangement there shal
not be at ant one time more than three wa
vessels Of any one nation, including those o
the allies, in either terminal water, nor mor'
than three such vessels in transit through tn
canal. or more than is at one time in all tn
territorial waters Of the zone. When Opposing
bellicerent ships are simultaneously present
tie twenty-four hour rule of departure mus
be observed between them, order or departur'
- be determined BY order of arrival, excep
where circumstances make extensions OF sta.
permissible. A belligerent vessel must no
leave within twenty -four hours after departure
az an adversary's private vessel.
The proclamation defines warshlp as
n,,blic armed vessel, commanded by 9 duly com
4,,ssioned government officer, with q crew un
5erregular discipline the vessel being qualified
IL armament and personnel to take offensive
Set;on against the enemy's public or private
&b;ns Except as to hospital ships, the sam'
treatment is to be given every vessel belllger
-. - neutral, armed or not, that does not fal
5er this definition when it is employed by
sll;oerent power as q transport, feet auxlliar!
= ,tberwise to aid hostilities. ii,e
passage through the canal is to be ACCORDED
3. non written assurance by commander
',s hssrvance Of regulations. Belligerent ship
not 70 revictual nor take on coal except a
-. II strictly necessary. Prizes OF war ar
e, governed by the same rules.
ror1ow THE CASE THROUGH