The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-05
PANAMA's DECLARATION.
Reasons for Secession Set Forth in a
Public Document.

Panama, Nov. 5.-FoIIowing is an ex-
tract from the document proclaiming
the independence of the Isthmus of
Panama:
This afternoon C'Tuesday) at 3 o'clock
the municipality of Panama assembled
with the exclusive purpose of deliberat-
ing on the situation of the country and
deciding on the most convenient man
er ner on which to promote the tranquil
Hly, development and greatness of the
populations constituting the topographic
and political entity denominated the
Isthmus of Panama.
The councillors considered the his
toric events by virtue of which Pana-
ma divorced its destinies from those of
Spain and spontaneously united its for
tunes to those of the republic of Colom-
bia. Addresses were made esta ablishing
the fact that in the union of the 18TH
mus with old Colombia modern CoIom-
bia had not received the beenf1t which
1T expected. Particular mention was
made of the great and prolonged griev-
ances from which the Isthmus suffered,
under all governments of the nation
since theeuniOn- Instead of being treat
ed in a patriotic manner these griev-
ances increased every day in number
and Importance and were forced with
a blindness that killed in the people of
the Isthmus the affection they had for
their alliance with Colombia
TT was demonstrated that this is the
moment to cut the links which retard
our civilization, place obstacles in the
way of our progress, produce unhappi-
ness and render nugatory the ends of
the political entity into which we have
entered.
Moved by the necessity of satisfying
obligations of promoting within the
bosoms of the people for right and lib
erty, the municipal council of the dis
trict of Panama. faithfully interpreting
the sentiments of the people it repre-
sents, declares in solemn form that the
people within its Jurisdiction shall from
today and forever more separate them
selves from the republic of Colombia
and, limiting to it the state of Panama,
shall create with the other population
of the state of Panama who accept
separation a republic, this republic to
have an independent, democratic and
representative government to assure the
happiness of the natives and other in
habitantS of the Isthmian territory. In
order to give effect to this resolution
the people of Panama will have to
emancipate themselves from the gov
ernment of Colombia and found a ma
tionality free from the interference of
foreign powers.
Panama in its own name and that of
other municipal councils commends the
administration and direction of affairs
needing the constitution of the new
republic to a junta composed OF Jose
Augustin, Arrange FREDERICK Boyd and
Tomas Arias, to whom shall be dele
gated all powers necessary for the full
fllment of the duties commended to
them in the name of the country.
'sThe municipality decides to call to
it's open council the population of the
district and to submit for its sanction
this action which is signed by the dig
nitaries and members of the corpora
ton"
The proclamation was unanimously
approved by the council. Everybody is
signing the act of independence. The
provisional government of Panama has
notified the agents of the steamship
company not to accept Colombian pas
sengers for Colombian ports unless they
can show passports.
Colonel Torres agrees, if General
Tovar so advises, to embark the troops
now at Colon on the royl mail steamer
Orinoco sailing for Sartagena today.
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 reinforcements
from along the coast will not be allow
ed to land.