Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-11-04


has created CONSERVATION all along the
line of the Norfolk and Western Railway
in the coal field.
INDEPENDENCE PROCLAIMED
The independence of the Isthmus was
proclaimed at p. M, yesterday in Pana-
ma. A large and enthusiastic crowd ofall
political parties assembled and marched
to the headquarters of the government
troops, where Generals Tovar and Amaya,
who arrived yesterday morning, were
imprisoned in the name Of the republic
of Panama. The enthusiasm was inn
mense and at least 3, 900 of the men in
the gathering were armed.
The battalion of Colombian troops at
Panama favors the movement, which Is
also thought to meet with the approval
of the crewsof at least two of the govern
ment transports now there.
A dispatch from Colon says noon OF
Monday was the time mentioned for the
active Inauguration of the revolution,
but no event publicly antagonistic to the
government of Colombia took place.
The government apparently took no
steps to quell any anticipated disturb
ance.
The Governor of the Department Of
Panama issued a manifesto, thanking all
political parties for the adhesion prom
ised to the government when it was re-
ported that revolutionary force was
marching in the vicinity of Penomeme.
In this manifesto the Governor also
thanked the inhabitants of the Depart
ment of Panama for the sincere proofs
of their patriotism and expressed the
hope that they will maintain the same
line of conduct and thus save the gov
eminent the painful duty of adopting
stringent measures.
The United States gunboat Nashville
has arrived at Colon.
The streets of Colon present some
what the same appearance as during the
DAYS of the late revolution. Several hun
dred troops who arrived yesterday from
Sayanvilla on the Colombian gunboat
Cartagena, with their wives, are squatted
on the street corners. The battalion
consists of $50 soldiers, well supplied
with ammunition, under the command
of General Tovar. General Tovar left
for Panama yesterday, but the troops
still remain.
Events developed rapidly in Washing
ton after O o'clock last night, when the
news of the declaration of independence
by Panama came through official sources
The sensational news was not unexpect-
ed hence the situation was not unusual
~ difficult to grasp.
Before midnight the State Department,
through the Navy Department, had the
necessary arrangements made to protect
American interests.
After conference between the Presi-
dent and Cabinet officials orde were is
sued through the State Department to the
Dixie to proceed at once to Colon. The
Atlanta has been ordered to join the
Nashville at Colon, on the Atlantic side,
and the Boston to Panama on the Pacific
side. Admiral Henry Glass is also on
the Pacific side at Acapulco, Mexico,
l 300 miles from Panama, with the Mar
blehead, Wyoming, and Concord. The
Boston is at San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua,
and has 600 miles or two-days' run to
Panama.
Thus far no information has come
to the government indicating that United
States naval officers, who have a pretty
broad authority in such matters, have
landed marines, which they have a right
to do under the treaty of New Grenada
of1S4S. In fact, the only adyices re
ceived by the Navy Department merely
stated that the Nashville had arrived at
Colon and that the situation is serious.
The statement was authorized that
the sole purpose of the dispatch of the
vessels was the protection of American
interests and the maintenance of open
transit on the Isthmus. The most ex-
plicit instructions are being cabled to
the American consuls at Panama and
Colon and to the commander of the Dix
lie, who will be in charge of the vessels
on the Atlantic side, to direct all their
movements with this end in view.
EnREICN NEWS