Panama Kanalen I 1912

131 The aforesaid rigths and property shall be and are free and released from any present or reversionary interest or claims of Panama and the title of the United States thereto upon consum- mation of the contemplated purchase by the United States from the New Panama Canal Company, shall be absolute, so far as concerns the Republic of Panama, excepting always the rights of the Republic specifically secured under this treaty. Article XXIII . If it should become necessary at any time to employ armed forces for the safety or protection of the Canal, or of the ships that make use of the same, or the railways and auxiliary works, the United States shall have the right, at all times and in its dis- cretion, to use its police and its land and naval forces or to estab- lish fortifications for these purposes. Article XXIV . No change either in the Government or in the laws and trea- ties of the Republic of Panama shall, without the consent of the United States, affect any right of the United States under the pre- sent convention, or under any treaty stipulation between the two countries that now exists or may hereafter exist touching the sub- ject matter of this convention. If the Republic of Panama shall hereafter enter as a consti- tuent into any other Government or into any union or confedera- tion of states, so as to merge her sovereignty or independence in such Government, union or confederation, the rights of the United States under this convention shall not be in any respect lessened or impaired. Article XXV . For the better performance of the engagements of this conven- tion and to the end of the efficient protection of the Canal and the preservation of its neutrality, the Government of the Republic of Panama will sell or lease to the United States lands adequate and necessary for naval or coaling stations on the Pacific Coast