Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-27
CITY IN PANIC.
Panama Almost in Midst of
Another Revolution.
Gov. Nuts a Fugitive Gen. Cobos
Takes Charge.
Thought That Trouble Will Help the
Canal Treaty.

the days of the last revolution, when
an attack upon the city by the Liberals
was feared, has there been such pan
ic in Panama as occurred. last night.
Shortly after 8 o'clock, the office of Ell
LapiZ, the organ of the Liberal party
an the isthmus, was visited by some
officers of the general staff of the army,
who destroyed yesterdays edition of
the newspaper.
One of the directors was slightly
wounded but managed to escape. The
news spread rapidly and in the Santa
Anas neighborhood where most of the
Liberals reside. sentiment rose to a
people counselled retaliation. They
took no action, however.
The next event came like bombshell.
A company Of soldiers apparently under
the orders of Gen. Vasquez CODES, COM
mander of the National forces, sur
rounded the residence of Gen. Nuts,
but the governor and his wife, who is
an American lady, having been warned
a few minutes before the arrival of the
troops. succeeded in escaping.
Gen. Huertas, commander of the bat
TALON Of Colombia, when he learned of
the Ell L4apiz incident repaired to head
quarters, where he found Gen. Cobos,
and. according to current reports, the
latter ordered Gen. Huertas to remain
in quarters. Exactly what has taken
place is unknown, but it is said that
DR.. Aristides Arizona, secretary of the
government, Fernando Arrange, chief
of police, and Efrain Na.yia, a member
of the departmental superior tribunal
of justice, are under arrest. the latter
for trying to argue with Gen. Cobos.
the illegality of his action
An attempt is also said to have been
made to- arrest Senior Guerra, secre-
tary of finance. but he refused to ac-
company the officer when he went to
his room to arrest him, and when the
officer returned with soldiers to effect
his capture, Guerra had departed
Gov. Mutis spent last night at the
British consulate. but it is reported that
he will take refuge in the American
consulate.
United States Consul Gudger made
several unsuccessful attempts, today,
to secure an audience with Gen. Cobos,
1t is reported that Gen. Cobos offered
the governorship to different Conserv-.
atives, who refused to accept and that
he himself will assume civil command,
this afternoon. Tt is said that Consul
Gudger attempted to send a cablegram
to Arthur NJ. Beaupre, the United
States minister at Bogota, but that the
agent refused to accept the message,
claiming that the lines were interrupts
ed
There was little excitement on the
streets, today, but the condition of af-
fairs is very serious. Gov Nuts ia
virtually prisoner. Undoubtedly Gen.
Cobos will issue later in the day a
proclamation giving the reasons for his
action. which UP to this time are I'M
known. The national government in
certain quarters is being held respon-
sible for much of what has happened,
because the soldiers have not been paid
for some time and Gov Nuts declined
to give more of the money of the de-
partment of Panama for national ex-
penses.
The refusal of Gov Nuts is the
origin of the discord between the civil
and military authorities. Violent arti-
cles written in Ell Lapiz against what
the Liberals call the assassination of
Gen. Victoriano Lorenzo, the leader of
the guerrillas during the recent revo-
luton. who was contaminated AMI
shot, May Is, precipitated events.
The effect of what is now going on
upon the Columbian Congress, it is be-
lieved, will be favorable to the canal
treaty, for the enemies of the treaty,
it is now believed, will be easily con-
WINGED of the necessity of certain claus
es which it contains in regard to the
control of this zone
Cable communication with Bogota
has been restored.
The Associated Press CORRESPONDENT
has interviewed Gen. Cobos. who adj
mitted differences with Gov Nuts be-
cause of the latter's refusal to pay the
soldiers, who, he said. were hungry. He
said that Gov. Nuts had systematical-
ly opposed everything emenating from
the military authorities but denied that
he had intended to arrest the governor.