The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-13

r-rsEE political Importance OF the Panama
Canal is greater than It's economic
- value ii was built not primarily as a
trade route bn, as an instrument of war
Without the canal the United States could only
arrange for adequate protection to both It's At
lantic and Pacific coasts by OF two
fleets: upon the completion Of the canal
transfer of one fleet par, OF IT from the
one ocean TO the other will be matter of but
q few hours whereas formerly it took many
weeks
The United States also the enormous
expense of constructing second battle feet.
I'm which must be included the saving in fuel.
sores. personnel and upkeep.
OF course. the Panama Canal will retain its
strategic Importance only as long as II has no
rivals II, for example. any other power were
10 build the Darien Canal or the Nicaraguan
Canal, and make il secure in military and
political sense. the Importance Of the Panama
Canal in international affairs would be mate.
rally icssened the United States could not
then control the passage from ocean to ocean
oi the war and trade fleets OF the Interested ma.
uonB The possession OF such q canal by a for
egn power would enable an enemy feet to eff.
feet the change from one ocean TO the other
wthou, either the knowledge or the consent OF
the United States and would afford TO their op.
ponents the means whereby to enec, surprise
and to compel the United States to divide its
forces However. the completion OF the Panama
Canal Itself should definitely put an end TO all
possibilities in the shape of rival canals
r similar effect could be produced by the
simultaneous attack OF TWO large cooperating
iees. III the Atlantic and one in the Pa
c!Ac even when the Panama Canal is the only
one In existence. II is for this reason that the
Observation-Disclosures we'll the Russo.Japa.
!cse alliance is OF such unpleasant importance
10 the United States. for both alliances are
suitable, In case OF war 10 bring into question
the strategic value OF the Panama Canal by
means of Joint action of the allied fleets Hence
the cndcavors OF United States foreign policy
20 effect arbitration treaties with England and
With Russia without depending solely upon
racial disaimilarities To make The alliances OF
merely nominal worth
From The foregoing premises Il may be
clearly seen that in strategicai considerations
Mexico. Central America and Colombia in
whose territories II Is possible 10 construc,
canals; with these considerations in mind. the
POLITICAL happenings in those coun rics are bet
ter understood. Thus MAJ be explained the
revolt OF Panama from Colombia the next to
tho last insurrection III Mexico which occurred
when tina, country wished 10 enter into an al.
uance with Ja"an the efforts made by the
United State SO prevent the yellow races from
Obtaining foo'hold in ,hese countries, and
Enal!y the persistent cndeavor OF the United
states TO extend he Monroe Doctrine 10 in
cude Central and South America
In recognition OF the fact that strategical su
periority only be maintained while the
United States only controls the Panama
Canal politically but while it is defended
against sudden attack by sea the canal is pro.
tecled on both coasts by extraordinarily strong
tortncatons of the most modern design
AS far as distances enter into consideration
there may be cited the following strategic data: