Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-04-30
THE SITUATION AT PANAMA.

The situation in which American citi-
zens resident in the city of Panama are
placed Is deplorabIe On the morning Of
the receipt of the news Of the evacuation
of Panama by our blue jackets and ma
rines, the REcoRD-CNIoN expressed its
surprise at the action. and its belief that
Mr.. Clovelands Administration would find
it difficult TO explain satisfactorily this
strange action. When .Jouett and NcGalla
retired American residents forwarded
protest 70 the Secretary Of State, but that
official did not respond, so tar as is now
known. We at least know that the
Washington authorities did not order the
reoccupation Of the place non-action that
in the light OF all the facts Is uuaccount-
able This Is the situation: The State Of
Panama IS regularly organized Govern
ment with which we have close relations.
1t is one Of the States OF the Colombian
republic, with which we treat. Against
the lawful authority Of the State OF Pa
mama certain insurgents have risen.
Against these insurgents certain other
rebels have made war. Thus there Is
rebellion within a rebellion. Each band
Is scuryy lot Of ragamufEn> and cut
threats, the chief aim being piilage and
disorder. The State of Panama is resisting
these rebels. But one of the clans cap
lures and burns Colon, while the other
captures Panama. The Colombian repub-
lie sends troops to aid the State Of Panama
in maintaining It's due authority. Pend
ing their arrival the Government of
the United States forwards troops to Pana-
ma by right Of treaty giving Us the
power 10 guard the transit route of the
Isthmus whenever the local authority is at
4 disadvantage. Six-tenths of the business
possessions in Panama belong to Ameri-
cans. When the rebel, take the city,
American business aud goods are put in
peril. Barricades are thrown up and pre-
partitions iaade to resist the lawful author
ity. The Americans appeal to the troops
of their own country for protection, aud our
marines accordingly enter the city, destroy
the barricades and drive out the rebels,
greatly 10 the relief Of all the people
Thus far aIl seems to have been plain sail
ing, and all that our officer, have done is
conservative OF peace and coad order. We
have not taken sides, hui have said to the
heIiigerents: IF vop must fight. engage
outside of the limits within which the
lives and property OF American citizens
would tie endangered At this junaturc
French Consulin white heat protests against
the occupancy Of the city by the A2eri-
cans. The silly fellow appears to have
ignored the fact that that ourarrns equally
protected the French citizens and property
and tina, his own Government had some
tine previously, through an official COM
potent 10 speak, expressed its belief that
10 the United States Of America belonged
the duty OF interference, not to France
our officers appear to have been frightened
by the eccentric Frenchuan and withdrew
their troops under promise of the rebel
commander Azipura to bring on no engage
ment within the city bounds But, no
sooner had the last blue-coated marine
marched out, than the ragged rebels re-
entered Panama, threw no new barri-
cades, manned the upper stories Of TIE
houses with sharpshooters, and prepared
for battle in the streets of the city. No
wonder that American residents were hu-
inflated, disheartencd ard gave up hope |
no wonder that Europeans and Central
Americans in Panama called Us towards
and heaPed upon us all manner Of abuse
for exciting a hope of safety only to dash
ii TO the ground within the hour That
Jouett and McCaIla acted strictly within
the bounds Of their instructions they both
declare. Il follows that some one at
Washington has bluudc.ed sadly. Even
after receiving news Of the action of our
marines and bluejackets, there appears to
have been no steps taken to repair the evil
done. Possibly as We write the proper
order has been made, but II 50, why it was
not issued forty-eight hours before it is diff
cult to understand. We incline to the
belief that the spot has been found in the
new Administration wherein there is
lack Of decision, backbone and grit ri
there ever was a time or place where the
interference of the United States of Amer
lea would bear its Justification on its face |!