The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-23
Inside History Of the Conspiracy
that Led to Panama S Indebendeuce.

him and conveyed him to his rooms in a
hotel, where he was kept close prisoner
waited in vain for Obaldia's return, and
becoming suspicious, repaired to the bar
racks to be near the soldiers, upon whom
they could certainly rely. They were re-
battalion was paraded for their reception,
and General Huertas, of whom more here
after, escorted them to his own rooms and
charmed them with his conversation until
about 5 o'clock in the afternoon But all
this palaver was lost on Tovar and Amaya.
They had themselves been through revolu-
tiOns and knew the signs that are carried
by the air, and they demanded the truth of
Huertas. Was there on foot a revolutionary
movement? Huertas answered that he had
heard some talk OF that kind. Was he i'm
plicated? The value of concealment was
lost, and Huertas answered: ITO tell you
the truth, generals, | am"
Then consider yourself under arrest"
cried Tovar to which Huertas replied:
Very good, sir! l will step into the next
room to get my sword that it may be sur
rendered to you.
Opening the door as he spoke. Huertas
disclosed to the view of Tovar and Amaya,
now thoroughly amazed, half a company of
soldiers, fully armed. AS he threw open
the door, HuertaS cried to his men:
Arrest those two menu and in an in
slant Tovar and Amaya found themselves
prisoners of the Colombian battalion. AL
most at the same moment Jose TOvar,
nephew of the general and commander of
the Colombian gunboat Bogota, stationed
at Panama, and man whom the secession
lists had not no dared Ito to- approach. was ar
in front of the Cathedral. The die had
been cast: secession a fact, and there
was no drawing back. The seven original
conspirators for independence Immediately
took charge of the situation. The flag Miss
Ossa mad made was sent for in haste. The
proclamation of independence was pro-
duced, but as the occurrences were secret
to the City of Panama. IT was not until the
next day that public meeting was held in
the plaza to declare the independence of
the republic s; OF Panama The f9rmaiiti les
City Council OF Panama, the eleven men,
bers, of which were advised of what was
expected of them, and all of whom were
willing and eager to join the movement,
which meant the construction of the canal
AND ONLY ONE WAS KILLED
Night was falling as this meeting was
convened. The proclamation of independ-
ence was read, and each member of the
City Council signed his name to it. The citi-
zens were then given an opportunity to ap-
pend their signatures, and a large number
awaited themselves OF it. Immediately after
signing the proclamation the members of
the City Council crossed the street to the
municipal building. and in their regular
chamber went into formal session. The
proclamation had previously been engrossed
in large record book, and the councilmen
signed Ssyn 1t again ,n 9nr
closed doors, the Council passed a decree
appointing Seniors Arrange Arias and Boyd
as a provisional governing junta, and in
trusted to them the direction Of the affairs
of the new republic.
The moment, according to the reports of
eye-witnesses, was not particularly inspir-
ing one. The affair was conducted after the
fashion of any business proposition. The
streets were filled with people, but there
was neither shooting, shouting nor enthusi-
asm, the whole transaction being viewed by
the populace most phlegmatically. The City
Council remained in session during the even
ing to deal with any situation that might
arise; the saloons were ordered closed for
the evening; the soldiers were turned out to
do patrol duty. but there was no violence or
disorder, the Spanish population failing en-
tirely to live up to its reputation for excita-
bility. The success of the movement so far
| as the city of Panama was concerned, was
easily assured. Gen. Ruban Varon, COM
mander of the gunboat Twenty-first of No
| vember, hoisted the flag of the new republic
| over that ship as the meeting in the plaza
was in progress. The Bogota had not been
fixed" and when he learned what was In
progress Paymaster Martinez, the only off,
Ger remaining on board, took command of
|! that vessel and steamed out of the harbor,
returning about 10 o'clock the same evening
| to throw six or eight shells into the city
| sacrificing the life OF one Chinaman-the
| only bloodshed in the revolution-and doing
an inconsiderable amount of damage to
| property.
From that time down to the present Pana-
ma has hardly had an opportunity to realize
| 1t Is the capital of an independent republic.
| The governing junta has been directing az
| fairs, Obaldia having been relieved Of his
| governorship; but aside from this change
| in the direction Of the administration and
| the plentitude OF money. due to the payment
| Of the bonuses agreed upon, things are to-
| day in Panama exactly as they were before
| the secession from Colombia.
MERRILL A. LEAGUE.