Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-05
NOT UNEXPECTED.
Panama Was Not Surprised at All by
the Revolution.

the Revolution.
Panama, Colombia, Nov. 4.-The rev.
olution which occurred here, yesterday
and which resulted in the proclamation
of the independence of the isthmus OF
Panama, was not unexpected. Since
Sunday last all kinds of rumors haG
been in circulation, but it was not unit
Tuesday night that the hour so long
looked forward to by the inhabitants
of Panama arrived. For two days pre-
viously groups of people had been going
about the town, discussing the situa-
ton which caused alarm upon the part
of the authorities. The houses of DR.
Manuel Amador, Jose Arrange and
Frederic Boyd and other leaders of the
popular movement We're watched by
the police, but the revolutionists fear
lessly went in ana out of their resi-
dences, issued their orders and their
plans were carried out.
1t was at first arranged that the rev.
olution should take place at 2 A. M
Wednesday. but when q telegram was
received from Colon announcing that
General ToVar with Il detachment of
500 troops had arrived there from Sa-
vanilla on the cruiser Cartagena some
of the revolutionists became discOur-
aged and it seemed likely that the
movement would collapse. The more
determined leaders of the revolution
called on DIR. Amador and urged taking
immediate action, while others advised
postponing the uprising.
DR.. AmaGor was full of enthusiasm
and would not listen to any proposals
to POSTPONE the outbreak, until later
than, Tuesday evening. This was the
situation throughout the afternoon of
Tuesday, when all the revolutionists
We're anxiously awaiting orders from
DIR. Amador General Tovar and Gen
Amaya, who arrived here with the for
mer from Colon, the governor of Pana-
ma and others were aware of the sit
uation and they went to the headquar-
ters of the battalion of Colombian
TROOPS in garrison here. believing they
could prevail on the soldiers not to take
part in the movement.
The revolutionists finally decided
upon 5 p. NJ. as the hour to proclaim
change occurred in their plans and word
2O00 men had congregated for the revo-
lutionists to disperse until p. M. But
they were already marching towards
the Plaza Chiridui, cheering enthusiasts
tically for the Independence of the 18TH
mus. Thereupon n signal was given to
Gen. Hucrtas of the revolutionary
forces, who in the name of the republic
of Panama. arrested Gen. Tovar and his
staff and escorted them to police head
quarters. amidst wild cheering for the
Lew republic. for DR.. Amador, and for
the other leaders of the revolution.
The flag of the republic of Panama
was then formally hoisted 1t consists
of four squares. The first upper square
to the left is blue. the first lower
square to the left is white with blue
star in its center, and the second lower
square is red.
The cause of the revolution may bt
briefly summed up as being the result oil
the action of Congress of Columbia al
Bogota in rejecting the Hay-Herran ca
nal treaty. The Panamarians are almost
to a man in favor of the construction OF
the canal by the United States and it hat
repeatedly been prophasied before and af
ter the meeting of Congress that PanamS
would secode if the treaty was rejected
and would come to terms with the United
States for the building of the great 18TH
milan waterway.
The composition of the provisional gov
eminent is as follows: Minister of soy
eminent Eusbis Morales; minister of fl
nance. DR. Manuel Amador; minister o
| foreign relations. r. II. Del Esprillto; min
| lister of justice. Carlos Mendoza; ministe
| of public instruction. T. Victoria; minista
of war and marine, De Obarrio, Jr
| Later in the day it became known tina
| Dr. Amador, late last night offered to al
| low Gen. Tovar to return with his troop
now at Colon. disarmed to Cartegena. bu
| Tovar refused. The prisoner is enjoyin,
all the privileges possible.
| While DIR. Amador was in conference
yesterday with government generals. tn
| officer who is second in command of tn
government warship Bogota sent an ulti
matum to the revolutionists giving then
| three hours in which to restore the Colon
| bian government, the time to expire a.
| p. NJ. yesterday; but before receiving a
| answer the Bogota began bombardmen
of Panama. Her fire was answered by tn
| guns of the town forts and by those @
the gunboat Padilla, which had declare
| in favor of the revolution. Shortly afto
wards the Bogota left the bay but as sh
has very little coal on board she will no
he able to go very far. communicable
by telegraph with Bogota is interrupted