Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-12
W. I, Buchanan to Represent
the United States.
HIS PREVIOUS SERVICE
NEW REPUBLIC TO HOLD CoNsTI.
TUTIoNAL CONVENTION.
Steps Toward Formation of a Perma-
nent Form Of Government-Colom-
bias New Proposition.

The President has selected w. 1. Bu-
chanan of New York to be the first United
States minister to Panama.
Mr.. Buchanan's selection was brought
about by desire on the part of the Pres
ident to obtain. temporarily at least and
during the equalization OF the relations
between the United States and Panama
and while the young republic is in its In
fancy, the services of a trained and e1-
perienced diplomatic representative, having
special reference to his acquaintance with
the manners and habits OF thought of the
Latin American races. BY reason of long
service as United States minister to the
Argentine Republic Mr.. Buchanan fills that
description in the estimation of the State
Department. 1t is understood that Mr..
Buchanans assumption Of these duties
Ia not to be permanent, for he sacrifices
very large business interests to undertake
the work
Was Minister to Argentina.
The new minister was originally from
Ohio, and represented the state as an agri-
culturist commissioner at the worlds fair
at Chicago. He was appointed by Presi-
dent Cleveland United States minister to
Argentine. His record in that country was
SO eminently satisfactory in cultvating
trade relations between the United States
and the Argentine Republic. and he was 80
highly regarded by both government and
people of the latter country, that President
Mckinley continued him at his post Tor
several years after his accession to office,
with the result that some trade treaties
were drawn and some long-standing diplo-
matte issues adjusted.
Next Mr.. Buchanan became secretary of
40 pynOSitiOn a RnftAlO.
and since the close of that enterprise he has
been engaged in a private capacity as a
representative of one of the great American
life insurance companies. and in semi
official way has been looking after certain
interests of the approaching St Louis ex-
position and in adjusting the claims of GER
tain American corporations engaged IN
business in Uruguay. He is at present In
Washington. where he has been in consul-
tation with the President and the officials
Of the State Department
To Adopt Constitution.
: The State Department has been notified
that the final steps are being taken toward
the formation OF permanent form OF gov
eminent by Panama. This news was con-
tanned in the following dispatch from Con-
sui General Gudger, dated today:
.EIection for constitutional convention
called for January L. The convention meets
Goth Of January
This action Is taken, It IS believed, to
meet suggestions from Panamans here that
criticism of the new republic would be
largely dsarmed and the status Of the new
treaty improved II the final ratifcations
could be exchanged by the United States
with permanent and regular republican
form of government on the isthmus. The
territory of Panama is so small that, ac-
cording to the belief of some, the elections
can be completed within a week after the
date named, January 4. The constitution
IL expected to follow generally the out
lines of the Cuban constitution, which is
regarded the most complete model OF
such documents.
Patrolling Isthmian Canal.
The Navy Department has received q
cablegram from Rear Admiral Glass saying
that he is making every effort to run down
the various reports regarding Colombian
expeditions to the isthmus. He has ordered
the Mayfiower TO the mouth of the Atrato
river to make a thorough investigation. II
necessary a reconnaissance Of that region
will be made TO definitely ascertain whether
there are any Colombian troops in that
region. The Atlanta has been ordered to
patrol the northern coast OF the isthmus
on the same mission. The commanders of
both vessels are under instructions to con-
duct their investigation with all possible
dispatch and return to their stations in
order that the Navy Department may nave
full official report of the exact situation.
Colombia's New Proposition.
IL,
States Attorney General, has been retained
by Gen. Reyes. the Colombian minister here,
to assist him in the presentation to the
United States government OF the Colombian
side Of the controversy over the possession
and control of Panama. Judge MacVeagh
is preparing note on the subject, which
will probably be submitted to Secretary
Hay next week by Minister Reyes In his
diplomatic capacity.
Although not officially admitted 1t is un-
derstood that the Colombian government
will propose the submission TO The Hague
arbitration tribunal of the issues raised by
the government of Colombia in regard to
the acts of the United States in the matter
OF the secession of the state of Panama.
The main points which Colombia is
said TO desire a decision by an unbased
tribunal are whether the acts of the limited
States on the isthmus are or are nor in
violation of the treaty OF New Granada of
1916 and also as to whether the United
States government is justified in its policy
OF preventing Colombia from recovering the
territory of Panama
Case Not Calling for Arbitration.
Although the President is a strong advo-
cate of arbitration as a matter of prin-
ciple. 1t is not probable that he will con-
slider the troubles on the isthmus as a
case calling for arbitration between Co.
lombia and che United States. 1t Is said
that the United States is willing to refer to
The Hague the question of the obliga-
ton OF Panama in the matter of the bond
ed debt of Colombia. The President is said
to be of opinion that Panama should as
sumo an equitable portion OF the Colom-
bian debt. to the extent of about 81 500 900
TO ATTEND ARMY SCHOOL.