New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-16
PANAMA CANAL IS
OPENED TO WORLD
Ancon Makes First Pas
sage, with Colonel
Goethals on Bridge.
PEACE FLAG FLIES
AT HER FOREMAST
New York Cargo First to Pass
Through Waterway-Com-
mercial Fleet Statutes II.

Panama. Aug. 15.-The United States
War Department steamship Aneon to-
day made the passage through the
Panama Canal, and transit through the
waterway is now officially open to the
traffic of the world.
The Ancon left her berth NJ Girls
tobal at o'clock this morning and
made her way to the end Of the deep
water channel from the Atlantic TO
the Gatun locks. She went through
these locks. which have a lift Of
eighty-fve feet, in seventy minutes.
She continued through the waterway
from deep water on the Atlantic TO
deep water on the Pacific side without
incident. reaching Balboa at A p. m.
and having nsyigated the canal in nine
hours.
On leaving Cristobsl the Ancon
passed several vessels at anchor in the
harbor. waiting to follow her through
the canal, and thus make the first com
mercial use of the waterway.
The decks Of the Ancon were
crowded with guests Of the govern
ment and officials Of the canal admin
istration and the Republic of Panama.
The party included Colonel Goethals,
President Porras of Panama and Cap
tain Hugh Rodman, U. S. ~, superin-
tendent Of transportation.
The flag of the American Peace So
ciety futtered from the foremost OF
ever, were two huge pieces of ar
tillery, which are destined to form an
important part in the defences Of the
waterway.
All the seventy-four officers and
men aboard the Ancon appeared in
spotless white uniforms and the ship
itself glstened with new paint, over
which huttered signal flags and the
ensigns OF all nations.
Invitations to be guests on this first
trip had been much coveted. and the
rails were lined with local canal Of
ficials and those of the Panama Re-
public, together with their ladies', as
the big steamer backed away from her
berth. Colonel Goethals was on the
bridge beside Captain Sukeforth, of the
steamer.
The Panama National Band and the
regimental band Of the 10th United
Spangled Banner" as the ship started,
but the music was almost drowned by
the whistles of the steamers in the
harbor.
All traffic. including the working
boats in Culebra Cut, was brought to
a standstill for the Ancon's passage
and several thousand canal workers en-
loved q holiday. With villagers Of all
they lined the banks at various vantage
points.
The Ancon was fully loaded with the
cargo she had brought from New York.
Vessels drawing not more than thirty
feet of water may now pass through
the canal, No embarrassment will face
the United States should one of the
vessels of the belligerents seek
passage. Strict rules are laid down
for the perpetual naturalization of the
canal and every detail will be under the
direction of Governor Goethals and his
staff. Except in cases of absolute ne
cessity. vessels of belligerents must
make uninterrupted passage through
the canal. They may not coal, re-
victual or embark ior dsembark troops
in the Canal Zone, and these provisions
ALSO Apply " INC bci Iilhai NaeSls a.
both ends of the canal within limit
Of three miles.
Twenty-four hours is the limit Of
time a belligerent vessel can remain
within the canal, except in cases of
distress, and vessel of war of one
belligerent cannot depart within TWEEN
ty-four hours from the departure of
vessel of war of another belligerent.
All of the plant and establishments
that are part of the canal are immune
from attack OF injury by any belliger-
ents. Vigilant American pilots will see
that no foreign vessels make observa
tions Of the canal defences.
The principal work remaining to be
done in completing the canal is the
deepening and widening of the channel
through Culebra Cut, as well as eXca-
walton operations at both approaches.