The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-27
INSIDE FACTS OF
A REVOLUTION
Plotters Took Mr.. Hay Into
Their Confidence as to
Panama.

pIedKlIlS Panama revolution, whereby
republic was established one evening
| and recognized the next day by the
president of the United States.
/ From the first the affair was directed
by New York and Paris financial inter
ests. To a few influential citizens of
Panama it was judiciously pointed out
that the defeat of the treaty would
| anger the. Washington administration
| and delay the prosperity of the 18TH
| mus, so 1t was suggested that If the
lsthmians should rise in revolt thew
would be sure of at least the moral
| support of President Roosevelt. Then.
II they could quickly organize gov
eminent and secure recognition by the
united States and negotiated a canal
treaty America would be obliged to
support them and they would divide the
$10,000,000 canal prize ...
! This golden promise served as a
leaven that kept constantly working as
the weeks went by without any action
at Bogota. The chief plotters made oc-
casional trips to New York, where ten
tative plans for the revolt were made
and discussed.
The Colombian senate was to ADJOURN
Sept. p, and a month before that day
1t was practically certain that it would
take no action on the canal treaty be-
yond rejecting it.
The Conspirators.
What was intended to be the final
meeting of the conspirators for the
freedom of the isthmus was called i'm
mediately to take place in New York,
and 1t was held there during the last
days of August Those at the meeting
were ]. Gabriel Duque, a Cuban by
birth and an American by naturaliza-
ton, editor of the Panama Star and
Herald; Robinson Tracy, veteran en-
ploye of the Panama Railway company
at Colon; C. Lewis, an isthmian OF
English descent; Manuel Amador and
Asmodeo AroSemana, native of Pan
anna
They went over the whole situation
| in detail, figured out the strength of
the armed force they could raise as
compared with the Colombian army on
| the isthmus, and decided that the re-
volt should take place on the afternoon
| of Sept. %. the day the Colombian con-
gress was to adjourn.
1t was reported to the committee that
the United States would view the re-
volt with favor, and would take an in
direct hand in it by at once landing
| marines to keep the isthmus open for
traffic, and would permit no fighting
along the line Of railway or at either
end of it.
The conspirators appreciated that
this attitude would be of immense adj
vantage to whoever was in control of
Panama and Colon, and it was decided
to center all of their energies at those
points.
Plot Revealed to Hay.
J. Gabriel Duque was selected to visit
Washington and acquaint the admins
tration confidentially with the plans of
the revolutionists. He came here at
once and on Sept. 3 had a long talk
with Secretary Hay, in which he I'M
folded the whole Panama scheme.
Mr.. Hay had heard Of it before and
was interested chiefly In the date set
for the revolution and the exact nature
of the plans. Mr.. Hay did not officially
countenance the revolt. His remarks
were perfectly proper. 1t was what
he did not say rather than what he did
say that encouraged the eonspirators
and caused them TO change their plans.
You are much too hasty," said Mr..
Hay, when he was told of the date set
for the revolt Colombia should be
given a chance to repent. If she should
show no sign of repentance within a
reasonable time you would, of course,
be free to take any action you saw fit
as you are now-but 1t seems to me it
would look much better to wait six
weeks or so. OF course you understand
that il there Is a revolution the United
States will keep the isthmus open and
allow no fighting near the railway. II
there is to be any fighting it will have
to be done before our marines get
there, for We will allow no bloodshed
anywhere on the isthmus after We get
there. You understand, don't you? We
will prevent traffic across the isthmus
from being interfered with and We will
also prevent bloodShed anywhere on
the isthmus.
Understood Perfectly.
Mr.. Duque, who is clever, replied that
he understood perfectly, and hustled
back to New York to tell his fellow
plotters the glad news of a support
from this country greater than they
had hoped for. If there was to be no
bloodshed 1t was only necessary for
them to arrange to have an American
warship close by when the revolt took
place. Then, after they had seized
Panama and Colon and proclaimed
their government, the American war
ship could land marines to keep the
isthmus open and prevent the spilling
of blood, and it would be plain sailing.
1t was decided to accept Mr. Hays
advice to postpone the revolt.
In a roundabout way it was later
|
to have the revolt delayed until after
election but no longer
Always striving to please, the COM
mittee gave the final order that the
new government should be proclaimed
Immediately after the close of the polls
on Nov. 8. 1t was proclaimed at Pana-
ma. An unforeseen emergency prevent
ed the plan from being carried out at
Colon, but did not seriously jeopardize
the scheme.
Colombia Knew About It.
Within few days after Mr.. Duque's
meeting with Mr.. Hay, DR.. Herran, the
Colombian minister, cabled his govern
ment full information of their confer
enee and the plans of the revolution
airy movement, urging on his govern
ment that the movement was serious
and strongly advising that the garrison
at Panama and Colon be greatly
strengthened at once.
He was informed that his advice had
been followed and that there were 1900
picked men at Panama, instead OF
which there were only 400 half-starved
troops, who were easily induced to
join In the revolt.
When it was too late Colombia act
ed on DR.. Herran's suggestions, and on
the night the republic was proclaimed
400 fresh troops reached Colon.
At the same time the Nashville
reached Colon to prevent bloodshed,"