South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-05-23
Proposal includes Acquisition
of Four Times Territory
Now HeId-0ne Part
Already Taken Over.
TO EXCLUDE FOREIGNERS
FROM DEFENSIVE ZONE
Would Bar Aliens From Ter
ritOry Certain to be The
alter of Operations in
Case of War.
international News Service

international News Service:
WASHINGTON. May "Details
of the gigantic scheme OF protection
for the Panama canal which in
cludes the acquisition OF about four
times the territory now comprising
the canal zone became known here
today. In pursuance of this scheme.
which has been necessary in the
opinion of military experts 10y the
fact that towns have been success
fully bonn barded i'm Europe from
distances OF more than 20 miles
triangle Of land at the Atlantic end
OF the canal, embracing several thou
sand acres already has been taken
over from the Panama government.
The confidential report of a special
defense committee" made up OF Of
fcers from several branches Of the
army. acting with "a naval officer. has
convinced the military authorities OF
the necessity OF acquiring and de-
Tending strip Of land so or 40 miles
wide. with the canal I'm the center.
instead of the present l0-mile strip.
Here is Proposed Plan.
The defense committee" has sug-
gested legislation which viii make
possible.
THE exclusion Of foreigners
from territory certain 90 be the thea
ter Of operations in case Of war and
where il is proposed 10 erect defen-
sive works.
Freedom To- the authorities or
the canal zone In time OF peace 10
take all measures necessary for the
protection Of the canal including
extensive reconnaissance and sur
vevs. contraction OF roads and trails
(communications) installation of
lines Of information. selection and
preparation Of defensive positions.
3-To facilitate the development
Of improved coast artillery land de-
Tense projects.
4-To provide unrestricted ar
rangements for troops maneuFers
and the removal Of the reservoirs OF
infection in native Villages from the
proposed zone.
5-To insure the secrecy OF every
defensive measure taken 90 oppose
hostile landing or advance. with tire
possession or destruction 81 TIE Pam
anna canal as its object.
Make Survey Of Field.
A large number OF military and
naval officials now are in the field
making the surveys preliminary 10
taking over this territory.
Under the terms of the treaty
with Panama. the United states can
take title 90 any land the American
military authorities deem necessary
for the protection OF the canal. I'm
return the United States has zuarsn-
teed the sovereignty Of Panama.
There are separate owners in the
contemplated acquisition.
In addition 20 the acquiring ~
several times the amount of land or
iginally taken from Panama for the
canal zone. the huge defensive
scheme takes in the acquisition ~
Taboga island AZ the Pacific end
This will be done In order that an
American fleet coming out of the
canal In line could have an oppor-
tunfty 20 form in battle formation
while the guns on TabOga island held
an opposing fleet ont Of range. This
island is Panama property and viii
be acquired on the plea ~ SIS neces-
sity as means Of defense.
At the Atlantic end OF the canal.
a triangle between the CharErcs
river. the Atlantic ocean and Port
Limon bay has been taken over