An item dated San Francisco reported that according to what Secretary of navy Knox (1) announced the USA was negotiating to obtain the Cocos Island (Isla del Coco) and the Galapagos Island belonging to respectively Costa Rica and Ecuador. These islands were desperately needed for protecting the Panama Channel which was of major importance for the USA.
Note
1. William Franklin Knox (1 January 1874 Boston, Massachusetts-28 April 1944 Washington, D.C.) , Secretary of the Navy between 11 July 1940 and 28 April 1944, he preceded Charles Edison and was self succeeded by James V. Forrestal. Knox was further more newspaper editor and publisher. Member of the Republican Party.
