New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-21

lneH NUMBER WIN an occasional gathering in
the Office of the electric light company. which
is principally owned by Tomas Arias- All Of
the plans of these conspirators were predicated
upon the rejection of the canal treaty. an
hypothesis which had resolved itself into GER
tainty before the middle Of August.
II was under these conditions that the plan
for Panaman independence advanced up to the
middle Of August The moment for decisive
action being then in sight it was agreed by
the conspirators and their counsellors that to
insure the success Of the project it was neces-
sary to sound the United States government and
learn what attitude it would assume.
WORK OF DIR. AMADOR
With that object in view, DR.. Arnador sailed
from Colon in September, going first to ia
maica, and thence to Boston From Boston he
journeyed to Washington. without passing
through New-York, so that neither his pres
ence in the States nor his visit to Washington
might be known to the Colombian Consul at
New-York- DR.. Amador's visit TO Washington
was for the purpose Of comforting with Secre-
tary Hay, but that official was in New-Hamp-
shire his annual vacation. and Dr. Amador
left Washington without acquainting the State
Department Of what the Isthmians seven IN
runber al that time) proposed doing. About
the same time J. Gabriel Duque. a native OF
Cuba, but a naturalized American now dom-
ciled in this city, Editor Of The Star and
Herald" Of Panama and principal owner Of the
Loteria de Panama. the chartered lottery of the
isthmus also visited Washington. Mr. Duque
saw Secretary Hay and discussed with him the
idea Of Panaman independence, but it can be
accepted indsputable fact that his visit
was wholly unofficial and made upon his own
responsibility. as he was not at that time in
the secret Of what Amador. Arrange. Arias and
the others proposed.
DR.. Amador's visit TO Washington having
proved fruitlezs. and there being no longer any
necessity for secrecy, he went to New-York
and took apartments at the Waldorf storia-
There he fell in with N. Philippe Bunau-Varilla.
who had resided on the isthmus as q canal en-
gineer. and with whom he was acquainted. Var
lila was then in the States in the interest Of the
New Panama Canal Company, and, their sent
inents being more or less the same Dr.. Arnador
unfolded TO Varilla the plans Of the consptra-
tors at Panama From this point the project
progressed rapidly. DR.. Amador returned to the
isthmus early in October. and at meeting of
the seven conspirators, who gathered in the Of
flee of the electric lighting company in Panama,
he related the result of his visit to the States.
He had received no assurance from any official
Of support but communicated to his fellows the
fact that Varilla had assured him in the most
positive terms that any stroke in favor Of in
dependence having as its primary object the
grant TO the American Republic Of a canal con-
cession would be supported by the United
States government. So elated was DR.. Amador
over Varillas assurances. and so great was his
confidence in the French engineers ability to
influence the government at Washington. that
he was unable TO see any further difficulties in
the way Of executing the project.
CAUTION COUNsELLED.
Arrange, Arias, Arosemena and the others
were slow to accept DR.. ATnador's assurances,
however Varilla had not talked with them, and
realizing that death for each would be the
penalty should they attempt and fail, and that
their only hope Of success lay in support to be
given them by the United States. they coun-
seed caution and further delay.
Their views prevailed to such an extent that
II was decided TO defer the launching Of the
movement until after the Colombian Congress
should have finally adjourned. Adjournment
would. they argued sound the death knell over
the canal treaty. and simultaneously give TO the
United States an incentive to support the in
dependence Of a republic on the isthmus. The
project was accordingly held in allegiance. al
though there was no cessation IN the matter Of
Y orlling out the details. Realizing that, if it
should become necessary TO deliver the blow a
commission would have 10 be sent TO the States,
the conspirators, late in October took into their
confidence Senior Manuel Espanoza, with the
idea of substituting him for Federico Boyd as
2 member of the provisional governing junta
which would have 10 be created, and which it
was decided should be composed Of arrange, who
welded all the influence of the Panama Rail-
road. Arias. who had been a Department Sena-
tor federal representative and a general Of
hceholder and Boyd, who represented the
heavier vested ir0rests on the isthmus. DR..
Amador was reserved to be the candidate for
President Of the new republic; Constantine
Arosemena was selected 70 be the expert mem
Der of the commission 20 the States, 10 nego-
tate a canal agreement; De Obario was select
cd for the Ministry Of War, which he now holds,
and Ricarduo AriaS was 10 be the active fiscal
agent OF the proposed new government.
None Of these details were neglected. the sys-
ternatic manner in which the conspirators went
q bout their work showing that they possess IN
usual ability in political scheming and that
they were ably advised. Proceeding in the same
careful way with a view to leaving no stone
uuturned to insure success. the conspirators
coached about October u. that point at which
tp.v realized that they would need declaration
~ Independence. The pot was boiling then in
.srnest All Panama talking OF a scheme
sor independence rumors of every sort being
current. but nothing definite being known.
DECLARATION PREPARED.
To have prepared a declaration Of independ-
-. ready for use the moment the Colombian
Co,Srass should adjourn, the conspirators took
&C. ,hair confidence three lawyers OF Panama,
al enthusiastic supporters Of the canal propo-
,.,o- These men were E. A Morales who was
1900 Tint II the scheme should go through