New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-15
Three Departments Un-
winding Red Tape At
ter Second Message.
BRYAN DENIES WORD
FROM GARRISON
Departmental Hostilities
Expected at Cabinet
Meeting To-day.
lrrom The Trihnn. Buresu. ]

Washington, Dec. Unsupported by
specific instances Of neutrality viola
tons by British ships in the Canal
Zone in the form of a cable dispatch
from Colonel Goethals, Secretary Gar
rison to-day put squarely up to Secre-
tary Bryan and Secretary Daniels the
sending of two destroyers to Panama
to prevent further breaches on the
part of Great Britain or any other ma
tion.
Secretary Garrison would not dis
close the full contents Of Colonel
Goethalss dispatch, but issued the fol-
lowing statement:
"The substance OF the dispatch is
that in Colonel Goethals's judgment
the misuse OF radio communications
within canal waters and the preven-
tion of the misuse of these waters as
a base of supplies require the pres
ence OF swift moving ships of the
variety mentioned. Since the questions
the State Department and the Navy
Department as well as my own, have
taken the matter up with the other
departments, and as soon as the re-
quirements are fully ascertained proper
action will be taken to meet them"
Bryan Hasn't Heard About II.
Secretary Garrison at once forward
ed to Secretary Bryan the contents Of
Colonel Goethalss dispatch and sug
gested a conference on the subject.
His letter to Mr.. Bryan was sent early
this morning, but despite this fact the
Secretary Of State maintained late this
afternoon that he had received no such
communication, did not know anything
about the incident, had not even read
Of it in the newspapers, and had not
taken it up with the British govern
ment. Nor had the British Ambassador
called on him IL relation to it.
Nevertheless, the request of Colonel
Goethals was the subject of confer
ences between Secretary OF War Gar
rison, Councillor Lansing, of the State
Department, and Rear Admiral Fiske,
chief of the Navy's Bureau of Opera
tions. No decision resulted, and il was
indicated TO night that because of the
delicacy of the questions involved and
the scant information furnished by
Colonel Goethals it might be several
days before any action was taken.
1t was apparent that Secretary Gar
rson was anxious that Colonel Goeth
ais should be supported by the send
ing Of two destroyers to the Canal
Zone.
Indications are not lacking that
every effort will be made by the State
and Navy departments to prevent the
sending of destroyers 10 the Canal
Zone. The impression prevailed at the
Navy Department that the facts report
ed by Colonel Goethals we're not con-
elusive and that the violations had
been confined to a single case. The
opinion was expressed that the incl
dent could be adjusted through diplo-
matte channels, and that this course
would probably be followed.
Department Heads at Odds.
II is thought the request of Colonel
Goethals and his latest dispatch will
be submitted at the Cabinet meeting
tomorrow and be the bone of a lively
contention. AS has long been known.
Secretary Garrison is at odds with the
BRYAN Daniels policy Of accepting as
satisfactory anything which may re-
semble an explanation. High officials
in the War Department say warships
should have been sent TO the Canal
Zone early last August to enforce
President Wilson's minute instructions
for preserving strict neutrality.
The destroyers Lamson, Worden,
Terry. Perkins and Wake are in re-
serve at Charleston, 6. c., and one or
more Of these vessels could be dis
matched 10 canal waters almost instant
IL. On the Pacific Coast the nearest
craft available are the Whipple, Paul
Jones, Perry, Preble and Truxtun, all
living off the San Diego.
Before any step is determined on. 1t |
is understood, the administration will |
go deeply into the question of the pow
ers and obligations of the government
In controlling activities in the waters
adjacent to the Canal Zone. An agree
ment will have TO be reached, too, as to |
which department of the government
should deal with the situation.
At present the officials appear to be |
lieye that Colonel Goethals has at his !
command ample power to enforce the
neutrality laws and all the regula- ]
tions for the use OF the canal. The !
Notifications at the terminals are suf-
fciently advanced to give military com
mand TO all the waters within the /
,bree-mile limit, and beyond that point I
the United States can exercise no CON
trol There is ample military force in
the barracks in the zone to maintain |
order and TO deal with any vessel after
IL has passed through the entrance
locks of the canal.