Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-05
.BLO0DLESS VICTORY
In Establishing the Independ-:
ence Of the lsthmus.
Perfect Order at Panama, With No
Attempt at Retaking CITY.
Uncle SANS Vessels Are Ready to Pro.
tect Our Interests.

Colon, Colombia, Nov. 4.-Without the
firing of shot and amid scenes Of great
enthusiasm the independence of the
isthnus and the department of Pana-
ma was declared. last evening. The
city Of Panama is now in the hands Of
the revolutionists and no serious at
tempt has been made to recapture it.
The Colombian gunboat Bogota arrived
in the harbor after the declaration of
independence and threw q few shells
into the city without doing damage to
life or property there In Colon, tonight,
perfect order prevails and trains across
the isthn.us are running as usual with
out interruption. In Panama the red,
white and blue flag of the new repub-
lie floats over the government buildings.
The movement for independence has
been inprogress since the rejection by
the congress at Bogota of the Hay
Pherran canal treaty, but its sudden
ripenns, last night, was due to the
news of the unexpected arrival at
Colon of the Colombian gunboat Car
thagena with Generals Tovar and
-traya and number of troops. The
movement has been promoted by prom
inent and wealthy isthmians and Gov.
O5aldia of the department Of Panama,
who arrived at Panama at $50 p. NJ,
Tuesday, and upon computing the num-
ber of troops and citizens in favor of
independence found that they number
ed ut least 1900. The advocates of in
dependence both at Panama and Colon
are now jubilant.
The timely presence of the United
States eunboat Nashville at Colon is
believed to have resulted in the avoid
ance of serious trouble.
Col Torres, commanding the troops at
Colon. has sent a representative to con-
for with Gen. Tovar whose uncondi-
| tional surrender is demanded
| In reliable quarters, it is believed that
! peaceful results will follow from a pro-
rosal Just made to Col Torres that the
American troops will return aboard the
Nashville, il he guaranteed to main
tain order. This proposition was, to-
night. accepted by Col. Torres. The
| British consul has suggested that if re-
luested, contingent of troops will be
! sert to Colon from the British cruiser
| A'nphion, now at Panama. It is be-
lieved that the Nashville will be hardly
sufficient for all emergencies. It is re-
ported that the United States gunboat
! Dixie will soon arrive here. Public
alarm in Colon is now somewhat abat-
, ed.
| The act of independence has just been
; signed at Panama.
| During the excitement, this after
! noon, the blueiackets from the Nash
vile quickly placed bales of cotton on
the tops of freight cars, forming an
excellent barricade. Many of the citi-
zcns were armed with rifles and revol-
| VerS. Several Americans and other
foreigners took refuge on board the
German steamer Berkomannia.
| The opinion of everybody here is that
the isthmian canal is now assured.
Col. Torres agrees. if Gen. Tovar so
advises, to embark the troops now at
Colon on the Royal Mail steamer ORR
noco sailing for Cartagena tomorrow.
The presence of these troops here is
now the only difficulty in the way of
the provisional government. All the
troops have moved a mile outside the
| town. Colombian government rein
forecements from along the coast will
not be allowed to land
The provisional government Of Pa
, mama has notified the agents of the
! steamship companies not to accept Co.
| lombian passengers for Colombian
ports unless they can show passports
The project of Colon. today. received
the following letter from the commander
of the Nashville:
"sir.-The condition of affairs at Pana-
ma, am advised, is such that any move
rf 10 Co1nr,hiap ~
Ion. to that reiGhborhood, must bring
| about a conflict and threaten that free
and uninterrupted transit of the isthmus
which the government of the United Stat s
; is pledged to maintain. | have therefore
| the honor to notify YOU that I have di-
rected the superintendent Of the railroad
that he must not transport on his line
troops either of the government or OF the
opposition rarty.
Trusting this action on my part will
meet with your cordial acquiesence have
the honor to be
'Very RaSpact fully