Panama forbade arming Panamanian flagged foreign ships according to the Dutch newspaper Arnhemsche Courant dated 7 October 1941

An item dated New York 7 October referred to the Associated Press which reported that according to well informed sources in Panama the Panamanian cabinet intended to withdraw the registration of foreign ships which were Panamanian flagged when these ships were armed. Most of the Panamanian flagged ships were property of American shipping companies. The Democratic senator George said that in his opinion the Panamanian cabinet was aware of the fact that armed merchant ships could be seen as warships and be treated in this manner.(1)

Note
1. Probably Walter Franklin George (29 January 1878 Preston, Georgia-4 August 1957 Vienna, Georgia) who was a senator between 22 November 1922 and 2 January 1957.