Executive Order 2382

Under the provisions of the Panama Canal Act the Governor is charged with the protection of the Canal until such time as the President may designate an officer of the Army to have entire control of the Canal and the Canal Zone during time of war or threatened war. The military and naval forces stationed in the Canal Zone will furnish such assistance to the Governor in the performance of this duty as the respective commanding officers may be requested by him to render.

Woodrow Wilson

The White House,

17 May, 1916.