A NEW FACTOR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 160, 12 August 1914, Page 5

A NEW FACTOR.

PANAMA CANAL SOON OPEN. USAGE BY WARSHIPS. In a week's time, on Saturday, August 15, the Panama Canal will be opened to commerce, for vessels drawing up to 30ft. The right of warships to pass through the canal is therefore of great interest at the present moment. The clauses referring, to the matter in the treaty between Great Britain and America, signed by Sir Julian Pauncefote and Mr John Hay, on November 18, 1901, are as follow: — The United States adopts, as ~ the basis of the .neutralisation of such ship canal, the following rules, substantially as embodied in the Convention of Constantinople, signed October 28, 1888, for the free navigation of the Suez Canal, that is to say: * 1. The canal shall be free and open to vessels of. commerce and of war of all nations, on terms of entire equality, so that there shall be no discrimination against any such nation or its citizens or subjects in respect of the conditions or charges of traffic or otherwise. Such conditions and charges of traffic shall be just and equitable. 2. The canal shall never be blockaded nor shall any right of war be exercised, nor any act of hostility be committed within it. The United States, however, shall be at liberty to maintain military force along the canal as'may be necessary to protect iti jagaiast lawlessness and disorder. Vessels of war of a belligerent shall not revictual or take any stores in the canal, except so as may be strictly necessary, and the transit of such vessels through the canal shall be effected with the least possible delay, in accordance with the regulations in force, and with only such intermission as may result' from the necessities of the service. Prizes shall be in all respects subject to the same rules as vessels of war of the belligerents. 4. No belligerent shall embark or debark troops, munitions of war, or warlike materials in the canals, except in case of accidental hindrance of the transit, and in such case the transit shall be resumed with all possible dispatch. 5. The provisions of this article shall apply to waters adjacent to the canal within three marine, miles of either end. Vessels of war of belligerents shall not remain in such waters longer than 24 hours at any one time, except in case' of distress, and in such eases shall depart as soon as possible; but a ■ vessel of war of one belligerent shall not depart I within 24 hours from the departure of a vessel of war of the other belligerents.j 6. The plant, establishments, build- ] ings, and all works necessary to the construction, maintenance, and operation of the canal shall be deemed to be parts thereof for the purpose of this treaty, and in time of war;. in-'.time of peace, complete, immunity from attack or injury by belligerents, and from acta calculated to impair their usefulness as parts of ; the canal.