File No. 819.74/3.
The Acting Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of State .
Washington , December 13, 1911 .
Sir: The following recommendation of the Joint Board, dated November 27, 1911, has been approved by the President, under date of December 12:
2. That an understanding be reached with Panama to prevent the establishments of private and commercial wireless installations in its territory.
Accordingly, I have the honor to request that necessary steps be taken by the State Department to accomplish the desired understanding with the Republic of Panama in definite terms, so as to prevent the establishments of private and commercial wireless installations in its territory.
I have the honor, further, to request that negotiations to this end be commenced as soon as practicable, as it has come to the attention of the Navy Department that the establishment of a wireless system in Panama is being contemplated, which would seriously interfere with our national policy regarding means of communication in the vicinity of the Canal Zone, as set forth in the above-quoted recommendation.
Respectfully yours,