The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-11-25
A COMPLETE
REVOLUTION
THE PANAMA SECESSION WAS
WELL PLANNED AND SKlLFUL-
LY CARRIED OUT

success OF the CeSSiOn movement ana
the orderly continuance Of affairs Sinca
the change Of government The success
ful execution of the secession plan
shows that the work was that OF ,1as-
ter minds. The municipal and pro nm
cial laws and regulations which exist
ed under Colombian rule have BEEN
continued. With few exceptions all the
civil employees Of Colon and its neigh
borhood have taken the oath Of 3llagi-
anCe to the new republic. Those who
refused are being sent to Savanilla.
Everything has assumed an every-ddy
quiet here.
Porfiro Melendez the new governor
OF Colon, today expressed full realiza-
ton of what Panama owed to the Unit
ed States, calling that country the
new republics powerful and generous
godmother."
General Melendez said: Panama
will be able to raise between 5000 and
5000 troops partly armed, I'm case the
necessity arises to resist a Colombian
attack, but / do not believe that any
such necessity will ever arise"
Governor Melendez says that he
would arrest General Reyes, who comes
on a mission from Colombia, on his ar
rival here unless he Immediately ac-
septs Penamas stipulations, among
them one to recognize the new repub-
lie. The general is due to arrive at
Barranquilla at the end of this week,
but Governor Melendez thinks he will
not proceed to the isthmus. The go p.
ernor said it was impossible for Colom-
bia to send troops overland to the 18TH
mus. 1t is apparent that United
States warships will not permit any
movement by sea of armed forces.
Governor Melendez tried to send IS
armed men to Porto Bello, but they
were stopped by the United states
gunboat Nashville and compelled to
return.
No news has yet been received here
of any attempt on the part Of Colombia
to move troops to the isthmus.
The warshps are examining all yes
sells arriving from Colombian ports,
with the object of discouraging the
landing of Objectionable persons. 1t is
believed that the sending of troops by
Colombia is the only thing that can
possibly disturb the tranquil march of
events on the isthmus.
The United States naval authorities
on the Colon side of the isthmus have
not received any official communica-
tions that the United States has rec
ognized the provisional Panama gov
eminent, consequently they cannot To-
cate in any way officially with the
Panamaian republic. The American
warships have not yet saluted the flag
of the new republic
The royal mail steamer OrinocO ar
rived here this morning, bringing news
of General Torres and the Colombian
troops she took from here after the
proclamation of the Republic of Pana-
mo Nm, tIA trfN n Nf
and his troops at Cartagena the news
of events on the isthmus quickly spread
and the General and his officers were
threatened with arrest as traitors. The
threat was not put into effect.
The populace were greatly excited
and crowded the streets crying, Down
with the Americans!" United States
Consul Ingersoll, fearing violence, re-
manned in the consulate.
The excitement at Barranquilla in
creased with the spreading of the news
of the secession of the isthmus, which
was supplemented by exaggerated ac-
counts of the alleged part played by
the United States.
Panama's declaration of independence
was read from a newspaper by the pre-
feet to a crowd in the plaza, and was
greeted by furious outcries, and shouts
Death to the Amefcans!" The pre-
feet followed the reading by a speech
in which he declared that the Colom-
bian government would never permit
the secession of the isthmus, and
would win back the lost territory at
any cost. The crowd in the plaza in
dulged in many eXtravagant threats.
United States Vice-COnsul LOvelace
was sitting on a balcony of his house
at Barranquilla tonight when several
stones were thrown at him. He went
inside and was not further molested.
The people of Barranquilla seem to
have been swept off their balance by
the suddenness and seriousness Of the
news.
Revolutionary talk began Immediate
ly in some quarters, and threats were
made against the congressman respon-
sible for the non-r ratification of the
Hay Herran canal treaty.
Fears are entertained for the safety
of Americans in Colombia and of the
possibility of the anger of the populace
being vented against foreigners gener-
ally.
The authorities at Savanila have
mounted two obsolete guns covering
the wharf.
There is no confirmation of the ru-
mors which have reached Colon that
President Castro, VI ~..~-~-..>, profit
ing by the plight of the Bogota govern
ment, will take action against Colom-
bia in revenge for the aid the Colom-
bian government gave to General Ma
tos and the Venezuelan revolutionists.
About fifty officers and civilians, en-
ployees of the former government of
the department of Panama, apprehend-
ed at Panama since the date of the in
dependence proclamation, and who re-
fused to take the oath of allegiance to
the new republic, arrived here today
over the Panama raL"uy, unuer a
heavy armed escort. The prisoners
boarded the Spanish steamer Leo XIII.
and guards We're placed on the dock to
prevent their escape, The steamer will
sail tomorrow, Thirteen other prison.
ers, held here for similar reasons, We're
also escorted aboard the Leo XIII and
will be landed at Savanlla
General Obladia, formerly governor
of the department of Panama, who is
generally credited with having been
fully cOgniZant of the secession move
! ment. and who owing IN his e,-,,, no ~, u,