Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-15
RADIO IMPORTANCE
. STRESSED IN PACT
= Projected Treaty With Pan
anna Shows Necessity of
Wireless to U. S. Defense.

The tremendous importance of ra.
dio at a vital strategic base is EN-.
phasized in the projected treaty be.
tween the United States and the Re.
public of Panama respecting their re.
lations In the Canal Zone. The origi.
nal Panama treaty having been con-
tracted back in 1908, the amended
treaty, which has been signed by the
diplomatic representatives of both
countries and awaits ratification of
their respective congresses, inserts
some pertinent specific provisions re-
garding radio.
From military standpoint, this
country regards the new provisions
obviously needful, particularly in view
of radios heightened development and
Importance in the intervening years.
The Navy must keep its eye closely
fixed on all radio activities in the 18TH
milan republic for obvious reasons.
Key Is Article XI.
The key provision of the treaty Is
Article XI, which has essentially to
do with wireless and aviation. Not
only is the Republic of Panama 10
cooperate in all possible ways with
the United States in the protection
and defense of the Panama Cana"
in a state of war in case Of any war
IN which the United States should be
a belligerent," but Panama will III
such event, IF necessary in the opin.
ion of the United States Government,
turn over to the United States in all
the territory of the Republic Of Pana.
ma, during the period of actual or
threatened hostilities, the control and
operation of wireless and radio com.
munication, aircraft, aviation certers
and aerial navigation"
These are drastic requirements, but
regarded by military officials as neces.
sary to the adequate handling OF our
naval and air fleets, both of which
are now moved by commands flashed
through the ether.
= Would Check on Stations.
In peace time a watch Is maintained
IN the republic for possible subver-
sive influences, such as were feared
In this country and Canada during
the World War when the presence OF
German spies was bruited. Therefore,
II is provided that mo radio station,
radio installation or radio receiving
set shall be imported, erected or
operated" in the republic without
license. and notice of each license APP.
United States. If the United States
raises any objection on the ground
of danger to the efficient protection.
defense or operation Of the Panama
Canal" no license shall be issued by
the Panaman government.
That's not all. At all times Pan
aman stations are subject to United
States inspection and 1.-The Panaman
government agrees, upon request by
the United States Government, to
close without delay any radio sta.
ton, radio installation or radio re.
ceiving set which is, in the opinion
of the United States, detrimental to
the safety or operation, of the canal
and its defense or the operation of
the United States fleet or forces
United States May Erect Stations.
Provision is made also for erection
by the United States of any stations
of its own it may deem necessary for
controlling the movements of it's fleets
or forces. and while the Republic Of
Panama retains sovereignty over the
territory occupied by these stations,
exclusive jurisdiction over their site
and their personnel rests with this
Government.
The careful provisions in the treaty
relating to radio signify its Importance
in the defense plans. The question
arises as to the broadcast of propa. |
ganda, but this probably lies within |
another sphere of diplomatic negotia- |
ton. 1t is something to think about, |
for only recently some sentiment was
heard in Washington over the alleged
broadcasting Of anti-American propa. |
ganda from certain Latin American
countries during the Nicaraguan
affair.