The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-12-02
PANAMA REJECTS OFFER
Isthmians offered Concessions by
Parent Government.
Threats and Promises of the Colombiar
Commissioners Unheeded by the
Junta's, Representatives.

Colon. Colombia. - The Panamese
commission, composed Of Seniors Arias.
Morales and Arosemena. which left
Panama to meet the peace commission
from the Department Of Bolivar, held
a short conference with the Colon
bians aboard the Mayflower.
The Colombians asked the 18th
mians if they would return to the Re-
public of Colombia, assuring to them
concessions and considerations in the
massage of the canal treaty. The Pan
amese reDlied that thev would not re-
turn to the Republic Of Colombia. and
that the assurances came too late. as
Panama's position was so adVanta-
geous and strong that tnev could see
no reason for changing their attitude.
Both the Governor and the Commits
sioners are without credentials or Iii
rect instructions from the Colombian
Government. 1t is further learned that
tie Commissioners did not represent
themselves to the members of the
1unta as Bogotan Commissioners. but
spoke in their capacity as citizens OF
the State Of Bolivar.
In the course of the conference Mica
nor Insignares. brother Of the Gov
ernor of the State of Bolivar. who was
the spokesman Of the Colombians.
made a strong appeal to the Isthmians
not to disruDt the Renublic of Colon
bia. and added the solemn assurance
that Colombia would grant all the
rights demanded by the Isthmians and
eventually carry out their project OF
building the canal.
Replying to Senior Insignares. To.
mas Arias. representing the innta. said
that the Bogota Government and the
Colombians generally did not appear
to grasp the actual conditions on the
isthmus. The revolution. Senior Arias
said. was born absolutely of the unan.
imous desire Of the entire peonle or
Panama and was irrnvocahle. 1t was
the act of a now independent govern.
ment already thoroughly orga nized
and formally recognized by the United
States Government in receiving it's rep
resentative. Philippe BuDau-Varilla.
~ we'll as by. the Governments OF
France and Italy. Seror Arias then
read telegrams which he had sent to
General Salazar, former Governor OF
the Department of Panama and now
Governor Of Cauca. one of the United
States of Colombia. containing state.
ments to the same effect. Continuing
Senior Ariss said:
"Colomhia will always find in this
country the most sincere brotherly
feeling. The political ties binding the
isthmus to Colombia have been bro.
ken. but the fanlt is not that of the
isthmus. The ties Of affection. how
ever. never can be broken"
Senor Insignares. in answer. az
pressed his deep sorrow at finding that
the hopes Of reconciliation were i'm
possible Of realization. He declared
that all the peonle of Colombia would
unite in an effort to enforce the ri"hts
of the republic IN the Isthmus Of Pan.
ama even at the cost of great sacri-
fees.
Seniors Ar0semena and Morales then
made addresses in which they eX-
pressed views similar to those enun-
ciated bv Senior Arias.
The threat of Sanor Insignaras that
the Republic of Colombia would an
force its alleged rights in isthnian ter
ritory did not cause apprehension to
the Panamese Commissioners. who
gave to it no serious consideration.