Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-10-21
THE LATEST REVOLUTION AT PANAMA
Account Of the Eineute by Ru Eye Wit
ness - Protection OF Euter.OccanIc
Travel by our Naval Forces.

The readers of Tag STAR may not usually
take very active Interest in political affairs on
| the 18TH of Panama, bat there is question
! looming up which is likely to become Of great
importance, and that IS whether the great inter
national thOroughfare between the Atlantic and
| Pacific is to be kept open for safe and uninteF-
| rupted travel. Passengers are now subject 70
| delays and other snnoyances, and sometimes
more positive injury to their persons and prop
erty whenever a revolution is IN progress there,
ard that is nearly all the time. But for the pro-
| lection of our men, f-wIr it is probable thar
serious injury would have beendone to the road
ere this. on this account we make room for the
| following letter from eyewitness of the re-
cent revolution, stating the causes which LED 70
| it, and giving an interesting account of the hos
tilties and the interference of our naval forces
Tor the protection of the railroad:
L. S. STEAMER BESICIA,
Of Panama, L. s. Colombia, Sept -, 1873.
EditOr Star: There are two parties in this aS
in every southern republic, who care very
little for principles but turn each other ont OF
office as often As they can, partly for the sake OF
ruling, but, in my opinion, principally for the
spOils of office. The mass of the inhabitants OF
Panama is composed of the descendants OF
Spanish settlers, and negroes from the West In
dies; the latter were first brought here in large
numbers when the Panama railroad was built.
This difference OF race forms the basis of the two
parties; the party at present in power is what is
here called the native, and the rebels are the
negroes.
THE GOVERNMENT OF PANAMA.
Panama is one of the United States OF CO.
lOmbia; the seat of government is at BOgota
where they have president and their Congress
meets. Each state has a governor, whose title
is president, and their confederation is not a.
strong ours; for instance, each individual
state has the right to enjoy its little revolutions
without interference from the general govern
ment, and this forms in reality their strongest
bond of union, and gives the general govern
ment its stability. For revolutions these peo-
pie musthave, and if not allowed that privilege
at home they would have to rebel against the
government at BOgOta, which would not De near
as convenient either for the people or the gene
raj government. General Correosa (they are
all generals here) is the leader OF the negro
party and is at the head of the present m )Se-
| ment; he was the last president, and wnen his
term expired General Neira was elected by a
majority of votes.
WHO Is EEIRA?
Neira Is considered an honest man, ami was
very popular, but he has not much strength OF
character and is no politician; in cOn-eq Ience
he men who he appointed % office being poll
ncianS, and INSCRIPTIONS at that, could easily
lead him, and as they all belong 70 the native
element, Neira soon became unpopular with
the negro party. Last Nay they rebelled and
drove him from Office and appointed another
man; but Neira cOnspired with the com
mander Of the national troops, (COl Is
cateIo,) and by the aid of these troops
regained his position. This, of course, was
contrary to law. As the national govern
ment had no right TO interfere, however, he &C
troops were recalled to BOgOta. TIE troops left
and were replaced by others, but their com
mander, knowing very well that he would be
court martialled on his return, remained in
Panama. This much is known, rum0r has the
rest, that be had not been paid small sum for
his services, and could not get it, so he com
menced TO intrigue with people whom he CON
sidered safer debtors
THE MURDER OF RscATRRo.
You have undoubtedly seen an account of his
death in the papers. The government one day
a frnr hafr
headquarters across the plaza to the Grand
Hotel, where Escaters was quietly standing,
chattering with some friends. They called ON
him TO surrender, as they had orders to take
tim, dead or alive; he drew his revolver and
stationed himself in door which gave him a
chance TO escape in either of three directions.
The passage was crowded, and when the police
tired he was wounded in the arm and a brother
OF the Secretary of State (BcrmudeZ) was
killed. Escatero said he would surrender him
self 10 any responsible party but not TO common
policemen, and retreat, ii 10 the billiard saloon.
There he met leading citizen, and gave him
self up, and together they went to tue ladies'
entrance, where they were met by sons more
policemen. These policemen took aim but the
gentleman stepped in front OF their victim, say
ing che has surrendered TO me-" This. how
ever, did not stop them; they fired and one
bali passing through his protector beard struck
EScatero in the head. He fell, the police rushed
up, and would not allow any one to raise him
until it was certain that he was diving.
zone of the most pleasing exercises of the
mind is gratitude" still it was a cheap way OF
getting clear of a small debt, especially as the
s.Pphcant might have been rather pressing on
the strength of being Gen. Neira's nephew.
BEGINNING OF THE RECENT REVOLUTION.
During all this time runner told US that there
was force gathering in the country to attack
;he city as soon as thew had enough man and
ammunition; but it seemed to have no effect in
side, except causing them to increase their po-
lice force, or, in other words, state troops. Capt
Clary, OF the "Benicia," fearing an outbreak
soon, sent letter to Gen. Neira about landing
some men; but the President sent back word
that their force was sufficient to protect both
foreigners and their own people. On the even
ing of the 22d of September Col. Pedro Garcia
lett the city, Joined the outside party. took COM
mand, and issued the usual spread eagle proc
lamation that comes in at such times This
looked serious, and on the morning of the sd a
detachment of thirty men, teegraphed for
came in from Aspinwall, under command of
Lieut.. Colonel Juan Pernette; the walls were
manned, and every one commenced to get ex-
cited. report reached the city that the rebels
we're encamped at Fan Fan, and were prepar-
ing 70 maren en-. on the city. government force
enemy this side of the Rio Grande, they re-
turned. All stores were closed, and people kept
indoors; except in the plaza and around the
AMERICAN FORCES PROTECTING WOMEN AND
CHILDREN.
General Neira now asked Admiral Altny
commanding South Pacific feet. and aboard
the U. S. 5. Pensacola, lying in the bly,D
for hundred men. The request was made to the
American Consul, DIR. Long; but as he would not
make his request In writing, it was refused In
the evening, Admin al Almy, thinking there
might be trouble during the night, and knowing
that the ralrOad depot was not properly pro-
tected, sent a hundred and six men and two
hOw;tZeIs ashore and took charge of it, Capt
Hughes. OF the Pensacola, taking CHI arge of the
men. They found there twenty national trooos
who were too glad to be relieved of their re-
spOnsibility, and before our forces had been
there twenty-fOur hours they had about i've
hundred women and children under their pro-
lection.
THE BALL OPENED.
The bal commenced at about $50 a.
IN. September 24th. The rebels attacked the
Arobel "a suourb of the city,, and commenced
firing on the troops at Playa Prieta, but their
attack was unsuccessful. Col. Pernette was
wounded in the arm by them. Firing was kept
up all the rest Of the light and day, with no re-
suits. One company of sailors left the Benicia
to reinforce the Y. s. force at the railroad sta
ton. The government in the afternoon sent out
a force aad stopped and searched the train
coming from Aspinwall. 1t was reported TO
Captain Hughes, U. s. N, who at once sent out
a force to prevent either party from attempting
such thing again. Hereafter guard of o. 8
sailors or marines will 60 on each train.
The u. 5. steamer Wyoming, Commander
Cushing, of Albemarle fame, arrived this day
at Aspinwall, SO we have three ships atthe 18th
uu and r0uld Ian ahaut fva hund - -. - a..