Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 8, 1914

File No. 811f.812/589b.

[Untitled]

Department of State,
Washington, July 31, 1914.

To the Diplomatic Officers of the United States.

Gentlemen: You are instructed to communicate to the Governments to which you are respectively accredited the following information relative to the opening of the Panama Canal, which has been furnished by the Secretary of War:

The Panama Canal will be opened for commerce to vessels not needing more than 30 feet of water, on and after August 15, 1914.

The official opening of the canal, as heretofore announced, will be in the month of March, 1915. An appropriate announcement will be made when a greater depth of water than 30 feet has been secured.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:

Robert Lansing

.