The Savannah morning news., 1903-11-07
GUDGER TALKS OF PANAMA.
Consul General Receives Orders
From the State Department..


From the State Department..
Washington, Nov. 6.-Consul Cen
eral Gudger has arrived in Washing
ton from Asheville. N. c., and to-day
his departure Sunday for the isthmus
of Panama. Rear Admiral Coghlan
has received orders to convey the con-
sui general to the isthmus on the con-
verted yacht Mayfiower, which will sail
from the navy yard here Sunday for
Colon at full speed.
Consul Gudger will receive final in
structions from the President to-mor-
row. These instructions win be of the
most minute character, though, of
course, much will be left to the discre-
ton of Mr.. Gudger, in whom the adj
ministration has the fullest confidence.
On arrival of the Mayfower at Colon
Mr.. Gudger will make himself known
at once to the de facto government,
and the usual formalities in such cases
win be observed. He will do business
directly with the republic of Panama,
which, in it's provisional form, at pres
ent, consists of an executive board.
and which before his arrival, may east
ly take the form of a permanent gov
eminent.
AS soon as Consul General Gudger
returned to his hotel from the State
Department, where he was for a long
time in conference with Assistant Sec
rotary Loornis, he talked interestingly
to an Associated Press reporter of the
isthmus situation. saying:
81 am not in the least surprised to
know the isthmus has declared Its in
dependence. Five months ago revo-
luton was a foregone conclusion, as we
all know. The iSthmus people nave
conducted themselves in patience, and
with dignified elaboration have await
ed the adjournment of the Colombian
Congress and the destruction of their
last hope for the ratification of the
Hay-Herran treaty before taking this
apparently radical step. Their reason
for this action is the alleged refusal
of the Bogota government to direct its
policy with some regard to the 18TH
milan peoples good.
striking proof of the stability or
the government is seen in the person.
mel of the active board which now con-
stitutes the provisional government.
They are all three men of the strongest
character, leaders in the isthmian COM
mercial world and men who command
the undivided respect of the natives,
as we'll as the foreign residents of the
isthmus."
'What of the sentiment of the people
of the isthmus towards the United
States?" Mr.. Gudger was asked. He
replied:
ut is extremely cordial and friendly
They want independence, annexation
or anything that will insure the con-
struction of the Panama canal ana
the consequent prosperity of the 18TH
mus. They have the greatest confi-
dence in the people and the. govern
ment of the United States. American
CAPITAL is already there to a large ex-
tent, and the people are desirous or
cultivating closer trade relations with
the United States.
INV leave of absence does not ex-
nire for a week, but when l saw the
Associated Press cablegram from the
isthmus indicating the seriousness Of
the situation, at once telegraphed the
Secretary of State, saying l should
leave my home in Asheville at once
for my post and would stop in wash
ington to-day for conference. am
carving the best wishes of the OH
ciaIs of the administration to the vice
consul general, Mr.. Ehrman, VINO mas
conducted affairs in my absence to
the entire satisfaction OF the WashlhS-
ton government"
Mr. Gudger's relations with the Bogo-
IA authorities have always been ex-
ceedingly cordial, and he would say
nothing that would reflect on the
Colombian government. His attitude
as American consul must be neutral as
regards Colombias internal affairs.
Mr. Gudger went to the Colombian
Location to-day and had a conference
With DR. Herran, the Colombian charge,
who is his personal friend.