Evening star., 1924-02-06
Editors Demand of Congress
Safety of Panama Canal Zone

While the United States feet swings
into the tail end of it's spring ma
neuvers off Panama a general de-
mand is being voiced by the news
papers of the country that Congress
forget politics and take action ade-
quately to safeguard the canal itself.
1t is accepted that the fate of the
United States may yet rest on that
waterway. The fact that at the very
outset OF the fleet maneuvers it was
demonstrated the existing defenses
were inadequate came as an unpleas-
ant surprise to the country. Inas-
much as the canal actually is now
making money. editors urge as
business proposition that this money
be utilized to bring the defenses up
to date.
at did not take the maneuvers to
make the average American realize
that the great locks and waterway
would be main objective of an en-
emy force" the Oakland Tribune
points out. NET profits of operation
last year were nearly 5 per cent of
the cost of the entire waterway. Such
plant, one Of the priced possessions
of this country, should be made safe
from attack" Indorsing this opinion
and, in addition, pointing out that
"the increase in canal commerce since
the close of the world war has been
marvellous" the Seattle Times believes
'ft is our duty and our right to pro-
tect the canal from any source. 1t
should not be left at the mercy of
any enemy which might strike sud
denly. 1t should be made free from
retary of War should be needed by
Congress" To which the New York
Times adds that this years war
game again has shown that theoret-
ically the defenses of the canal are
far frop adequate. To protect, the
defending fleet must be on the right
side of the isthmus to give battle.
Therefore, it should have the oppor-
tunity, under the fire of big guns and
supported by airplanes, to get through
to deep water on either side"
X X X X
Insisting that the warning has been
broadcast time and again that the
canal, most vital link in our national
safety. was not adequately defended"
the Milwaukee Journal summarizes
the result Of the tests to show that
the warning was right and that "the
and foremost is the fact that the guns
of the defense batteries We're out
ranged by the hypothetical enemy
fleet. When shells fall short all the
plans in the world go for naught, and
there is nothing the defenders can do
to save the situation. 1t must be saved
beforehand or never When we think
what the canal would mean to us in
case of attack we can say that the
plight in which it now is is nothing
short of criminal negligence" This
is especially SO, as the Chicago Tri-
bune sees the situation, because war
is not likely to be made upon US by
one power. If we are attacked it will
be on both fronts, and the canal is a
necessary communication between them.
1t ought to be made impregnable. and
can be if Congress will act upon sound
principles Of national policy" But
the New York Post is convinced Con
gress seems to care little-perhaps
because there are no votes In PAN
ana But to lose control Of the 18TH
mus would be an irreparable national
calamity"
TT was the purpose of the maneu-
"to demonstrate the weakness of the
Canal Zone defenses and the urgent
need Of greater war appropriations.
The purpose was served" There also
is doubt In the mind Of the Wilkes
Barre Record. however, whether< "a
canal depending upon locks can be
made safe enough to give ease of
would be we'll for the government to
turn it's attention to the construction
| of a canal across Nicaragua, the
rights for which have been acquired
a canal built at sea level instead of
above the level of the sea-" And the
New York Herald, insisting the at
ltaoking forces Thought fastsr. than