SURROUNDING THE PANAMA CANAL
59
to be used by an enemy as a base of operations. Costa
north of the Canal, and Colombia, south of it, are beehives
Rica,
of secret Japanese, Nazi and Italian activities. Special efforts are
made to buy or lease land
colonization," but the land chosen
may have
"for
such that it can be turned into an air base almost overnight.
For decades Japanese in the Canal Zone area have been photo
graphing everything in sight, not only around the Canal, but for
is
and the Japanese fish
has taken soundings of the waters and harbors along
hundreds of miles north and south of
it;
ing fleet
the coast. Since the conclusion of the Japanese-Nazi
"anti-Com
Nazi agents have been sent to German colonies
in Central and South America to organize them, carry on propa
ganda and cooperate secretly with Japanese agents. Italy, which
munist
pact,"
had been only mildly
interested in Central America, has
become
extremely active in cultivating the friendship of Central Ameri
can Republics since she joined the Tokyo-Berlin tie-up. Let me
illustrate:
The recognized vulnerability of the Canal has caused the
United States to plan another through Nicaragua. The friendship
of the Nicaraguan Government and people, therefore, is of great
importance to us from both a commercial and a military stand
point. It is likewise of importance to others.
Italy undertook to gain Nicaragua s friendship when she joined
the Japanese-Nazi line-up. First, she offered scholarships, with
expenses paid, for Nicaraguan students to study fascism in
about one month after a
Italy. Then, on December 14, 1937,
all
Nazi agent arrived in Central America with orders to
on the propaganda and organizational activity, the Italian
sailed out of Naples with a cargo of guns, armored
mountain artillery, machine guns and a considerable amount
secret
step
S.S.
cars,
"Leme"
of munitions.
On
San
11, 1938, the Secretary of the Italian Legation in
Costa Rica, flew to Managua, Nicaragua, to witness
January
Jos<,