Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-08-20
OPENING TODAY OF
PANAMA MAY AID
WARSHIP COURSES

6lvFAlvt6 MIN 0u0
WARSHlP COURSES
Washington, Aug. 17.-With the
passage through the Panama canal to-
day OF the war department liner An
con, the great waterway becomes free
and open to the vessels Of commerce
and of war Of all nations on terms OF
entire equality" according to the pro-
visions of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
Vessels drawing not more than 80
feet of water may now make the pass
age. 1t would be possible to put the
big American dreadnaughts through at
any time.
Any of the foreign warships now In
the Atlantic and Pacific waters could
also make the trip, but the naval plans
of the powers off both coasts Of the
United States are not known here. No
embarrassment to the United States
should n of the vessels OF the bel
ligerents seek passage would result.
Strict rules are laid down in the treaty
for the perpetual naturalization of the
canal n every detail will be under
thu direction Of Governor Goethals and
his staff. Except in cases of absolute
necessity vessels of belligerents must
make uninterrupted passage through
the canal. They may not coal, revic-
tual or embark or disembark troops In
the canal zone and these provisions
also apply to the terminal waters at
both ends Of the canal, within a limit
of three miles.
Canal To Be Widened.
Twenty-four hours is the limit OF
time a belligerent vessel can remain
within the canal, except in cases of
distress n a vessel of wal of one
belligerent cannot depart within "a
hours from the departure Of q vessel.
OF war OF another belligerent. All OF
the plant and establishments that are
part of the canal are Immune from at
tack or injury by any belligerents. Wig
liant American pilots will see that no
foreign vessels lake observations of
the canal defenses.
The principal work remaining to be
done in completing the canal is tho
deepening n widening of the channel
throug Culbera cut as well as cav
ton operations at both approaches.
Panama, Aug. 17.-The canal zcne
celebrated today the opening Of the
canal. The festivities, however, were
but local n suggested little of the
International Significance Of the event.
With the official. Panama celebration
set for next spring, yer the United
States was not officially represented
today except by the men who have long
been In the zone.
The steamship Ancon, owned by the.
United States war department and
leased to the Panama railroad for
service In the New York-Colon trade,
was chosen as the first big boat to be
put through. Signalling the opening of
the canal to all ships up to 10000 tons
register.
Shortly before z o'clock this morning
the Ancon was drawn away from her
berth at Cristobal and anchored at the
end Of the deep water channel from
the Atlantic ocean to the Gatun locks.
The program called for putting her
through the locks at 9 O'Clock, her pas
sage of the Culebra cut at about noon,
and arrival at the end Of the deep wa
ter channel in the Pacific at 6 O'clock
this evening.
Colonel Cocktails Aboard.
All the "A regular officers and men
aboard the Ancon appeared in spotless
white uniforms and the ship itself glis-
tened with new paint over which fut-
tered the signal flags and the ensigns
Of all nations. At the fore peak was
while at the main mast head luttered
the house pennant OF the Panama
Steamship fleet. On the jack staff was
the flag of the United States.
Invitations to be guests on this first
trip had been much coveted and the
rails were lined with local canal Off
Gals n those of the Panama repub-
lie together with their ladies. as the
big steamer backed away from her
berth.
Col. George Goethals, builder OF the
canal and governor OF the zone. was
on h bridge beside Captain Sukeforth,
of the steamer, together with Captain
Hugh Rodman, u. s. N, superintend-
ent Of transportation, who has over
seen the plans for putting the first ship
through.
Other distinguished persons included
President Porras Of the Republic OF
Panama and his staff.
The Panama National band and the
regimental band OF the Tenth United
led Banner as the ship pulled away, but
the music was almost drowned by the
whistles OF the steamers in the harbor.
To assure unimpeded passage for the
Ancon all of the traffic, including the
working boats in Culebra cut. was
brought to q ~standstill.
The several thousand canal workers
enjoyed a holiday, and they, together
with villagers of all types from the
surrounding territory lined the banks
at vantage points.
The Ancon was fully loaded with the
regular cargo that she had brought
from New York, the freight having
been p%urposely left on board to give the
canal q full test with The ship drawing
its full depth OF water.
MF.TF-EAE fHNItEtA&Ns