The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-23
TO SEND. WARSHIPS !
MUST UPHOLD CANAL ZONES
NEUTRALITY BY FORCE.
Governor Gcethals Telegraphs He
Has Wrecked Radio Of One British
Collier at Balboa, Canal Zone

President Wilson and his cabinet
decided Tuesday to send American
warships to the canal zone to guard
against neutrality violations by bel.
ligerent ships. How many ships will
be dispatched will be determined af-
ter a full report has been received
fro. Gov. Goethals, of the canal
zone, and Capt. Ridman, naval OFF,
Ger Of the canal.
whatever is necessary to be
done," said Secretary Daniels Tues
day night, "to carry out the. execu'
tive order Of the president with ref
erence to the radio communication,
will be done. A telegram from the
radio Office at the canal zone says:
For communicating with British
cruisers from west coast / have dis
mantled radio of one British collier
at Balboa, Canal Zone
Governor Goethals Tuesday reiter'
ated his request for destroyers to en-.
force neutrality laws In the Cana
Zone. A conference was held be-
tween Secretary of War Garrison
counsellor Lansing, Of the State de-
partment, and Rear Admiral Fiske
chief Of the navy bureau of opera
tions.
Secretary Garrison early in the da.
received a cablegram from Col
Goethals, explaining his request fo1
destroyers. This message was mo-
made public, but MIR. Garrison said
in Col. Goethals judgment, misuse O.
radio communication within cana
waters and the necessity Of prevent
ing misuse Of the zone as base O.
supply by belligerents. required tht
presence Of swift moving war YES
sells.
It Is understood that administra
ton officials will go deeply into th'
question Of the powers Of the gov
ernment in controlling activities II
waters adjacent to the Canal Zone
before any step Is taken.
Secretary Garrison and Secretar!
Danlels made it clear Tuesday tha
the delay in action on Col. GoethaP:
request for destroyers was due to
lack Of information. MIR. Garrison
explained that the colonel had asked
for destroyers without specifying th'
purpose Of their use. In reply to
message of inquiry Col. Goethals ex
planned that wireless regulations wer'
being violated in canal waters ant
referred to the misuse Of the Cana
Zone as a base Of supplies. The wa,
department again asked for specific
instances of what had occurred. bu
no further information had been re
ceived.
II the Canal Zone is being used a
base Of supplies Col. Goethals will
be instructed to use his land forces
Should 1t develop that the wireless i
being used within the te-r1toria
waters the navy department will de
mand an explanation from its nava
officers, as the question Of wireless
regulation is up to the navy depart
ment.
"Destroyers or other ships will b.
sent to the Canal Zone. ct any mo
ment when needed to prevent the ust
Of radio for any unneptral act b,
ships Of any belligerent nation" sait
Secretary Daniels. The probabilit!
is that some of the cruisers now OF
the Mexican west coast will be sen
to the Zone instead Of destroyers.
Regarding the alleged use Of radio
outfits by British colliers within th'
canal waters officials are trying t.
ascertain the extent to which this ha'
been done It is suggested that
warning will be sufficient to stop al
legged offences, without invoking
display Of force If such q displa.
should be necessary, however, 1t viii
be incumbent upon the navy, as by {
proclamation on August 5 the nav!
department was placed In exclusive
control of the radio service in th'
Canal Zone.
At the British embassy it was sug
gested that the British cclliers which
are alleged to have been using thei1
wireless within the territorial water:
of the Canal Zone may not have re
ceived word Of the canal regulation:
on this point as these only reached
London Monday.