Final answer:
The imposition of silence is likely a literary device used to build atmosphere and tension, suggesting a significant event that disrupts the stillness in the narrative. It is not technical jargon from radio communication protocols.
Step-by-step explanation:
The imposition of silence by a station other than the one in distress typically refers to a procedural action in radio communications, often related to military or maritime operations. Here, the context provided suggests that the situation is from a narrative, possibly a literary piece with a focus on atmosphere and tension, rather than a technical communication protocol. The descriptions evoke a sense of stillness and anticipation, underlining a theme where silence plays a critical role in setting the scene. It's about the quietude of a place with the potential for an urgent message to break it, as implied by the reference to a cry from another street or the stillness preceding a significant event. Such use of silence is a frequent device in literature to convey suspense or the gravity of a situation.