The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-23
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGEa

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE1
TO arrest Obaldia, install Gutierrez in the
Governors palace, and then turn out OF
Office every man connected with the for
place a trusted Colombian, who could be
relied upon to show no leniency in dealing
with the Panamaians. The soldiers sent on
the gunboat were to do this work and were
then to relieve the garrison at Panama,
which is considered the flower of the CO.
lombian army. The majority of the men
in the Panama garrison were recruited In
the southern departments of the Republic
of Panama, but they have been stationed
here so long as to have become Panamaians
in fact. They have married here. Nearly
every one has some little business enter
prise to swell his income They have been
paid (when paid at alb in Colombian silver.
and are entirely satisfied with their lot.
caring little for anything except an Oppor-
tunity to remain here.
1t was this desire to be kept in Panama
that eased the way for the secessionists TO
before the plan for independence assumed
definite shape ii was intimated to General
Huertas. commander of the garrison, that
his battalion was to be transferred to Bar
ranquilla, on the Caribbean coast of Colon
bia. This meant that the men were TO be
taken from their homes and sent to part
of the republic where their arrearages of
pay and current wages could be satisfied
with the worthless paper currency which is
printed by the millions at Bogota and with
out regard to stability of value The men
support was secured by the Secessionists
upon the promise to pay up the arrearages
due them, TO pay them steadily In the fu-
ture under the republic and TO keep them
in Panama This promise has been kept,
the amount already distributed among the
men of this garrison aggregating more
than 100000.
SHALER's DIPLOMACY.
But in laying this plan to insure the con-
tinuance of Panama as department of the
Colombian government Bogota counted
without estimating the adroitness of the
Americans on the Colon side of the 18TH
mus The troops landed from the Carta-
gena on the morning of Nov. and de-
mand was Immediately made by General
Tovar, who was in command, upon Col j.
s. Shaler, general superintendent of the
Panama Railroad, for transportation for
the entire body across the isthmus. Colonel
Shaler was most diplomatic in his handling
of the situation. He could not move the
troops unless he had an order from the
governor of the department, upon which he
could claim compensation for his company
for the service to be rendered; but his tele-
graph wires were at the disposal of the
two esteemed Colombian generals, Amaya
being the second in command, to commune
cate with Governor Obaldia at Panama and
procure the needed order would they be so
kind as to avail themselves of the tele-
graphic facilities? The two Colombian gen.
erals needed no second urging, and the
wires We're soon carrying their demand
Obaldia. But Obaldia is a native Pana-
maian, and, most conveniently, he was I'M
able to understand why the Colombian
government should be sending $50 men to
Panama without first advising him of it's
intentions; would the two generals kindly
take the train, come to Panama and con-
fer with him?
The dilemma was a serious for the
Colombian commanders; but with Shaler
suave but obdurate, and Obaldia forty
there was nothing for them to do but leave
their troops and go in person to Panama
for the necessary order for transportation
Colonel Shaler was more than pleased to
assist them in every way possible. The
regular morning train was just about to
leave for Panama. He would hold it until
Tower and Amaya could prepare for the
journey. He would, and did. attach a spe-
cial private to this train for the con-
venience of the two distinguished travellers
and so 1T was that the two commanders
journeyed across the isthmus in comfort.
Arriving at Panama, they were welcomed
in way becoming their dignity. The bat
talon garrison. with General Huertas in
command, and with the band playing a
lively air, was at the station to meet them
and escort them to the Governors quar-
tiers. The Governor himself was at the
station with his private carriage to greet
a brilliant professor that passed through
the streets OF Panama. Then came the
consultation with Governor Obaldia. He
was obtuse and could not understand the
motive in sending the soldiers; but II the
generals would excuse him he would go and
write the order, as what the government
at Bogota ordered must perforce be right
and proper.
HUERTAS TAKES A HAND.
Governor Obaldia left Tovar and Amaya
and walked into the arms of detachment
of Columbian soldiers who quietly arrested