The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-05
independence Proclaimed at
Panama. American War
ships Ordered There.
A REIGN OF EXCITEMENT
Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Costa
RIGA All Exhibit Condition Of Tubl-
leEce That May End in a 6eL-
eral War.
(By the Associated Press

washington, Nov. 3.-The following ca
blegram was received at the State Depart
ment at 10 o'clock tonight from the
United States Consul at Panama:
AN uprising took place at Panama to-
night. Independence was proclaimed. The
Colombian army and navy officials were
made prisoners. A government was to be
organized consisting of three consuls and
cabinet. 1t was rumored at Panama
that a similar uprising was to take place
at Colon"
Later the following official statement
was made regarding the news from
Panama:
"A number of confused and conflicting
dispatches have been received from the
isthmus indicating rather serious disturb.
ances at both Panama and Colon. The
Navy Department has despatched several
vessels to these ports with directions to
do everything possible to keep transit
open and maintain order al along the line
of the railroad
Sensational advices from the isthmus
were not entirely unexpected in view of
other advices that had come to the de-
partment very recently. The reception of
the news caused a sudden outburst of
activity at the Navy Department and at
once on President Roosevelt's return he
was made acquainted with the situation.
Secretary Hay, Assistant Secretary Darl-
ing, Assistant Secretary Loomis and a
number of others were summoned to the
White House hastily and measures were
taken at once for protection of American
interests at the isthmus
Orders were issued by the Navy Depatr-
ment to the Dixie, which is now on her
way from Jamaica, to proceed at once to
Colon and to the Boston, which is now
at San Juan Del Sur, to go to Panama
The Wyoming and Marblehead are under
orders to remain temporarily at Acapulco,
where they now are, to await orders to
proceed to the isthmus if the situation be
comes worse. The Baltimore is now on
her way to San Domingo, because of an
outbreak and disturbed conditions there,
but upon her arrival at San Domingo
probably will be ordered to proceed to the
isthmus. The Dixie, it is stated. has 400
marines on board, force that would come
in very handy in the event it is desired
to land force on the isthmus. Late to-
night orders were issued to the Atlanta
to proceed at once from Jamaica to Colon.
The White House conference broke up
about il o'clock, but not much beyond the
official telegram received and orders given
would be stated by those participating in
it. There is very general belief that the
rejection of the Panama Canal treaty by
Colombia caused the people of the isthmus
to decide to set up a government of their
own, but none of the. officials of the adj
ministration would authorize any state
ments to the effect that this was the case
Colon, Colombia, Nov 3-There is a
persistent rumor here that during the last
few DAYS a movement has been on foot
looking to the independence of the
isthmus. Noon of yesterday was the time
mentioned for its active Inauguration,
but no event publicly antagonistic to the
government of Colombia took place. The
rumor is prevalent today that develop
ments are expected tonight. The gov
eminent. however. is not alarmed and
apparently no steps have been taken to
quell any anticipated disturbances. This
seeming inactivity on the part of the
government is looked upon as showing
confidence in. the reports made by General
Obaldla, the governor of the Depart
ment of Panama. who has issued mani
festo thanking all political parties for
the adhesion promised to the government.
The United States gunboat Nashville
arrived here late last evening.
The streets of Colon today present
somewhat the same appearance as during
the days of the late revolution. Several
hundred troops who arrived today from
Sanavanilla. on the Colombian gunboat
Cartagena. with their wives. are squatted
On tie street corners.
The battalion consists of $50 soldier.
well supplied with ammunition, under the
command of General Tovar. General
Tovar left for Panama today, but the
troops stiFl remain here.
Washington, ID. c., November s.
The Navy Department received word to-
day of the arrival of the Nashville al
Colon last night through a cablegram
from her captain, Commander Hubbard.
The department found it necessary to
conceal It's purpose in dispatching the
Nashville from Kingstown to the 18th
mus and it was supposed that she was
prevented from going to San Francisco
because some of her machinery was out
o. order. As Il matter OF fact the adj
vices received from the United States
Vice Consul at Panama more than a Week
ago determined the State Department to
have some representative of the United
States navy in lsthmian water Indeed IL
j. probable that, beginning with the term
ination of the ceremonies at Guantanamo
connected with the turning over of the
new coaling station, Admiral Coghlan viii
be- required steadily to maintain a naval
fierce on the Atlantic side of the isthmus.
rrberc .rp other reasons than ne Panar-a
stua ticn for this rs the reports com
ing To the State Department from the
Central American countries. north of Co
1cmhia reveal the existence of turbulent
and dangerous conditions. Only this
morning a cablegram came from one OF
The United States consuls in Honduras
stating that the people there were in