New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-17
THE TACOMA SENT
TO CANAL ZONE
Destroyer May Also Be
Dispatched to Aid Colo
Onel GOethalS.
HE SENDS ANOTHER
REQUEST FOR SHIPS
British Ambassador Tells BRYAN
Violations Are Due to
Ignorance.

Washington. Dec. 16.-Secretary DAN
iels tonight ordered the cruiser Ia
coma, now in Santo Domingo, to pro-
coed 20 Colon to guard against viola
tons Of the neutrality of the Panama
Canal.
A destroyer or gunboat may be sent
from the patrol on the west coast Of
Mexico TO the Pacific entrance Of the
canal when fuller information as to
conditions at the waterway is received
The following statement was issued
az the Navy Department:
Secretary Daniels stated that the
last news received from Color was that
no other violations of neutrality have
been committed, except that by Brit
ish collier. whose radio apparatus had
been Gismantled. The executive order
as 20 the unneutral use of the radio
will be promptly and efficiently en-
forced. Though no other violations
have been reported. Secretary Daniels.
acting upon the suggestion of Colonel
Goethals, will tomorrow send ship
. TO Panama so as 10 be in position to
make impossible any violation Of the
executive order. He has ordered the
Tacoma. which is now in Santo Do
mingo, TO this duty.
Ambassador Spring-Rice of Great
Britain called at the State Department
/ this afternoon and stated that some of
the English ships had sailed from their
home ports before they were familiar
with the Presidents proclamation and
requested that they receive full infor-
nation concerning it.
As soon as that request was received
Secretary Daniels sent the following
telegram 20 the government radio sta
ton at Colon:
$50 far as practicable inform all yes
sells approaching Canal Zone of limita-
tions under which they must use their
radio while in territorial waters OF the
zOne."
Information reaching the British En-
tassy was said to prove that no British
national vessel knowingly violated the
laws of neutrality in the Panama Canal
by improper use of radio outfits.
II was pointed out 20 the naval off
Gals and also to Secretary Garrison,
with whom the ambassador was in con-
ference, that the British government
not only had no intention of violating
: the rules rs to wireless in the canal
/ zone or Ii any American waters, but
oh 2erfully subscribed TO them and had
heen vitality interested in having en-
forced the present regulations forbid
ding the unneutral use of wireless
ECU ipments in America.
Secretary Daniels said tonight that
he expected Lieutenant Crenshaw, the
naval radio officer, who returned 20 his
duties at Panama to-day after a fur
Tough, would Immediately report on the
wireless situation.
Panama, Dec. 16.-Colonei Goethals
has again cabled 10 Secretary Of War
Garrison at Washington. setting forth
his need for torpedo boat destroyers
in canal ports in order TO preserve the
neutrality OF the Canal Zone. In his
message Colonel Goe;hals says he has
no means of preventing the use OF
canal or Panaman ports as a means OF
communication, and that these ports
apparently are being used TO this end
at the present time.
Speaking of the situation to-day
Colonel Goethals expressed the opinion
that there was as much necessity toI
torpedo boat destroyers at canal ports
as at any other American port where
they were stationed 10 prevent
breaches of maritime laws or of neu-
trality. He declared that judging from
reports reaching him, it was eviden;
that the vicinity Of the isthmus was
being used as a temporary base for the
transfer of supplies and as means OF
communication.