Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-13

true state of affairs on the isthmus. is
now at liberty in Panama, of which city
ne Is native.
The Imprisonment following his arrest
IS looked upon as having been practical
~ farce, everybody knowing his senti-
mcnts and that he would never return to
Eogota. The prisoners sent on board the
Leon XIII include Generals Tovar and
Amaya, former Prefecto of Colon Cuadrps
ana the former alcade of Colon, Senior
Guerrero
Gen. Huertas, commander of the batta!
ION at Panama which deserted the Colon-
plan government and Joined the Panama
ian reVoluticnists. Nov. 8, has been made
commander-in-chief of the forces OF the
new republic. Gen. Huertas was enter
tanned at banquet here, today, by Por-
fro Melendez. civil and military governor
OF Colon, and other government o!hcers.
A United States naval collier arrived
here. today. with a full cargo.
What most impresScS all observers OF
the present situation on the lsthmuS OF
Panama Is the complete success of the Sc
cession movement and the orderly con,
tinuance of affairs since the change of
government. All governmental functions
have SO far been carried on with complete
success and the unanimous feeling
throughout the district of Panama in IA
Tor of the rev government is lar beyond
what its promoters anticipated when MAX
ing their preparations for the memorable
event of Nov. 3. The successful execution
of all the details of the secession plans
show that the work was that of minds
nasterful in such matters and rarely
known in South American revolutions.
The municipal and provincial laws and
regulations which existed under the gov
eminent of Colombia have been continued
without any practical change. With three
or four exceptions all the civil employees
of Colon and its neghborhOOd have taken
the oath of allegiance to the new republic
and been continued in Office those who
refused to take the oath being sent to
Savanilla. But for the new uniforms of
the volunteer soldiers OF the young repub-
lie seen on the streets of Colon and the
one Panaman flag flying over the town
hall, there seems nothing in the daily life
of this place to indicate a change of SOW
eeignty.
Porfiro Melendez. the new civil and mil
itary governor of Colon, interviewed, to-
day, by The Associated Press correSpon-
dent, expressed his full realization of
what Panama owed. to the United States,
calling that country the new republics
powerful and generous Godmother.'
Gen. Melendez said: Panama will be
able to raise between 5000 and 1000 troops,
partly armed, in case the necessity arises
to resist a Colombian attack. but I dc
not believe that any such necessity will
ever arise
Regarding the mission of Gen. Reyes,
Gov. Melendez said: "A telegram has
been received by the government of Pan.
anna that Gen. Reyes is coming to the
isthmus in the hope of saving Colombia S
honor and is ready on behalf of the Co
lombian government to promise Panama
all concessions and considerations The
Panama government, however, has an
swered tina: unless Gen. Reyes comes
ready to recognize the new republic and
accredited to it as the Colombian envoy
he will not he received"
Gov. Meendcz further said that he
would arrest Gen. Reyes on his arrival
here unless he Immediately accepted Pan
ama's stipuations The general is due to
arrive at BarranGuilla at the end of this
week. but Gov. MelendeZ thinks he will
not proceed to the isthmus. The governor
said 1t would be impossible for Colombia
to. send troops overland to the lsthmus
because of the physical conditions Of the
country.
His apparent that United States war
ships will not permit any movement by
sea OF armed forces. Gov. MelendeZ tried
to send % armed men to Porto Bcllo, but
they were stopped by the tinted States
gunboat Nashville and compelled to re-
turn. A schooner loaded with Panamiari
troops was sent. yesterday to Bocas Del
Tefo. hut they went unarmed
The United States naval authorities on
the Colon side of the iSthmus have not
yet received any official communication
saying that the United States has recog-
nfzed the provisional Panama govern.
ment. Consequently they cannot treat in
amy way official with the Panama repre-
sentativeS The American Warships have
not yet saluted the flag of the new re-
public. So