The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-11-11
The PANAMA REVOLUTION
Not Unexpected on the Isthmus
or in Observation-Disclosures
Bombarded by Colombia
Gunb0at.

E6VOIutiOu Wu1Cu OCCuIIoQ yCS1O1o0y,
and which resulted in the proclama-
tion of the independence of the 18th
mus of Panama, was not unexpected.
Since Sunday last all kinds Of rumors
| had been in circulation, but it was
not until Tuesday night that the hour
so long looked forward to by the in
habitants of Panama arrived. For
two days previous groups of people
had been gathered about the town dis
cussing the situation, which caused
| alarm upon the part Of the authorities,
for the houses Of Dr.. Manuel Amador,
Jose arrange and Frederick Boyd and
other leaders of the popular movement
were watched by the police, but the
revolutionists fearlessly went in and
out of their residences, issued their
orders and their plans were carried
out.
The revolutionists decided upon 5
P. M. as the hour to proclaim the in
dependence of the isthmus, but a
change occurred in their plans and
word was sent to Santa Ana, where
over 1000 men had congregated, for
the revolutionists to disperse until Z
P M, but they were already march
ing towards the plaza Chiriqui, cheer
ing enthusiastically for the independ-
ence of the isthmus. Thereon signal
was given to Gen. Ruertas, of the
revolutionary forces, who, in the name
of the Republic of Panama, arrested
Gen. Tovar and his staff, and escorted
them to police headquarters, amidst
wild cheering for the new Republic,
for DR.. Amador and for the other lead
ers of the revolution. The flag Of the
Republic Of Panama was then formally
hoisted.
The cause Of the revolution may be
briefly summed up as being the result
of the action Of the Congress of Colon
bia at Boogta in rejecting the Hay
Herran canal treaty. The PananIaus
are almost to man in favor of the
construction Of the canal by. the
United States, and it had repeatedly
been protested before and after the
meeting of Congress that Panama
would secede if the treaty were reject
ed, and would probably come to terms
with the United States for the building
of the great isthmian gateway.
The revolutionary junta is compos-
ed of Jose Augustin Ariano, FREDERICK
Boyd and Tomas Arias, who have
charge of the Government.
The composition of the provincial
Cabinet is as follows: :
Minister Of the Government, Eusbisi
Morales.
Minister of finance, Dr.. Manuel
Amador.
Minister of foreign relations, F. v.
De La Esprilla.
Minister of Justice, Carlos Men
doza. Minister of public instruction,
n. Victoria.
Minister of war and marine, De
Obarrio. Jr.
While DR.. Amador was in conference
yesterday with the Government gen.
erals the officer who is second in COM
mand of the Government war ship
Bogota sent an ultimatum to the revo-
lutionists, giving them three hours in
which to restore the Colombian Gov
ernment. the time to expire at 10 p.
m., yesterday, but before receiving
an answer the Bogota began bonn
bardment Of Panama. Her fire was re-
turned by the guns of the town forts
and by those of the gunboat Padilla,
which had declared in favor of the
revolution. Shortly afterwards the
Bogota left the bay but as she has
very little coal on board she will not
be able to go very far.
Communication by telegraph with
Bogota is interrupted.
THE NEWS IN WASHINGTON.
Washington, Nov. 4.-Vice United
States Consul Ehrman, at Panama,
cables the State department under
today's date that the Colombian Gov
ernment war ship Bogota is shelling
the city. One Chinaman has been
killed.
Mr.. Ehrman has been instructed to
protest against the bombardment.
It the coIsul's protest is not sufic-
lent, then the commander of the Unit
ed States ship Boston, which is by
this time on her way to Panama
from San Juan del Sur, 900 miles dis
tant, will promptly seize the Colon
| bian gunboat if necessary to stop the
bombardment
This bombardment is in violation
of all the rules of war, beginning as
! 1t did without the required notice.
Moreover the United States Govern
meat takes the ground that it certain
ly interferes with the freedom of tran
sit across the Isthmus, which this
Government is by treaty bound to
maintain.
The greatest activity was exhibited
in the State and navy departments
this morning and there were frequent
consultations between the officials, the
naval officers particularly being intent
on working out the details for the
plan of the protection of the Isthmian
traffic outlined by the State depart
ment.
1t is quite evident that the navy is
making preparations for a larger de-
monstration in Isthmian waters than
it has made for many years, and the
fact is not disguised that all of the
information that has come from the
secret agents of the Government point
to the ultimate success Of the revolu-
tion.
"You will project American inter