The Savannah morning news., 1903-11-05
THE PANAMA REVOLUTION.

The Colombia statesmen who were
instrumental in defeating the Hay
Herran treaty will probably make the
charge that the United States are at
the bottom of the trouble which has
broken out in the state of Panama.
For some time there have been un-
founded runoTs that the United States
were encouraging an element there to
rebel against the Colombian govern
ment, and set up an independent gov
eminent, so that they could get the
concessions they want for the Panama
canal.
OF course the United States have
nothing to do with the independence
movement in Panama, and about the
only connection they will have with it
is to see that American interests on the
Isthmus are protected. AS a matter of
fact several war vessels of the minor
class have been ordered to Colon and
Panama for that purpose.
The people of Panama appear to be
very much in earnest in their move
ment for independence. According to
the dispatches yesterday, of the large
and enthusiastic crowd that marched
TO the headquarters of the government
troops in the town of Panama, fully
three thousand were armed. At the
time the declaration of independence
was made at Panama 1t was expected
that a similar declaration would be
made at Colon, but it seems there was
no demonstration there hostile to the
government of Colombia.
1t is stated in the dispatches that
the Colombian government doesn't
seem to be alarmed by this movement
on the part of the people of the state
of Panama for independence. 1t isn't
apparent, however. why 1t isn't alarm
ed. In it's present financial condition it
would find it difficult to maintain an
army very long in a conflict with the
revolutionists. OF course the revolu-
tionsts haven't great resources upon
which to draw, butt with the resources
they have they could make pretty
long and strong fight.
1t isn't known just why our minister
to Colombia was ordered home. One
reason given is that our government
wasn't satisfied as to what the position
of the Colombian government was in
respect to the Panama canal conces-
sions. 1t seems that an unofficial noti-
fication was taken to Washington re-
Gently by a Colombian emissary to the
effect that IL the United States did not
materially increase their offer for the
concessions very soon the Colombian
government would open negotia-
lions for the sale of the property to
syndicate Of German, French and Eng
lish bankers.Of Course this emissary was
given to understand that the United
States would have no dealings in re-
CORD to the concessions with him or
through him. Another reason given
for the calling of our minister to WASH
ington was that the President has not
been able from the dispatches to clear
ly understand why the Colombian gov
eminent rejected the Hay-Herran
treaty and he wanted the minister to
furnish information on that point for
the benefit of Congress-. ~e pip
There is no reason to doubt that the
the refusal of the ColombianS govern
ment to ratify the canal treaty. The
people of the state of Panama want the
offer the United States have made for
Panama canal concessions accepted.
They want the canal built, and they
have no sympathy with the effort Of
the Colombian government to get more
for them than the amount called for
in the Hay-Herran treaty.
When the last Congress adjourned
1t was thought the question of con-
structing a canal across the isthmus
Of Panama was practically settled.
When the present Congress ASSEMBLIES
next week it will find that that ques-
ton, and the question as to whether
the isthmian canal shall be built on the
Panama or the Nicaragua route, as I'M
settled almost as they were at any pre-
viOus time.