File No. 819.74/14.
The Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of State .
Washington , April 19, 1912 .
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of April 15, 1912, enclosing copy of a memorandum by the Solicitor of your Department dated April 4, 1912, relative to our treaty right to establish radio stations on the Isthmus of Panama.
The Department notes the Solicitor’s opinion that this Government enjoys the right and authority to erect and operate radio stations on the Isthmus of Panama, pursuant to the Treaty of 1903, and that it is therefore unnecessary to enter into negotiations for the acquirement of this authority. This Department, in asking that negotiations be inaugurated towards the acquisition of suitable locations for low-power stations on the Isthmus of Panama, had in view a possible extensive series of negotiations; it was also desired to forestall any attempts on the part of private corporations to secure concessions in the Republic of Panama for the operation of radio stations. The Solicitor’s opinion that interfering stations owned by private parties may be disposed of under the provisions of the Canal Treaty of 1903, appears to cover the latter contingency in a most satisfactory manner.
[Page 1234]In order to make selections of the exact localities for low-power radio stations on the Isthmus of Panama, tests must be made of the electrical conditions in the vicinity of the places mentioned in my letter of January 23, 1912. It is proposed to undertake these tests as soon as the services of our radio expert can be spared to make them. When these tests shall have been completed and the appropriations for the erection of these stations secured, the Department, will furnish the Department of State with a list of the sites desired and a statement of the arrangements necessary for the erection, equipment, and operation of these stations.
Respectfully yours,