Same Status as Panama Canal Zone Accorded Washington, May 2.
The War Department yesterday designated Puerto Rice as a separate military zone effective on July 1. The status of Puerto Rice will be similar to that of the Panama Canal and will remain here May 4 when it Francisco. Air "mail Zone and its designation as a military zone is the first step in strengthening the strategic outlying defences of the canal, The Secretary of War, Mr. Harry Woodring, announced that the Puerto Rice military zone would be placed under the command of Brig-Gen. Edmund Daley. The War Department, it was understood, proposes to establish an air base on Puerto Rice and make the chain of islands bordering the Caribbean a "breakwater" to protect the Caribbean and all Atlantic approaches to the Canal.
Announcement of the designation of Puerto Rice as a special military zone was made coincident with President Roosevelt's request to Congress for the immediate appro-"pri ion of $21,000,000 to bolster the defences of the ccnal.—United Press.
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