Gilpin observer., 1903-12-10


1t for all due action to protect the per-
sons and property Of citizens of the
United States and to keep open the
isthmian transit. in accordance with the
obligations of existing. treaties govern
ing the relations of the United States to
that territory"
The Government of Colombia was noti-
fled of our action by the following tele-
gram to Mr.. Beaupre:
1.-The people of Panama having, by an
apparently unanimous movement, dis
solved their political connection with the
Republic of Colombia and resumed their
independence. and having adopted a Gov
ernment of their own, republican in form,
with which the Government of the United
States of America has entered into re-
lations. the President of the United
States. in accordance with the ties of
friendship which have SO long and SO
happily existed between the respective
nations, most earnestly commends to the
Governments of Colombia and of Pana-
ma the peaceful and equitable settlement
of all questions at issue between them.
He holds that he is bound not merely
by treaty obligations but by the inter-
ests of civilization. to see that the peace
full traffic of the world across the 18TH
mus of Panama snall not longer be dis
turbed by constant succession of un-
necessary and wasteful civil wars"
Disturbances on Isthmus Since 1886.
years had elapsed since the United States
had entered into it's treaty with New Gra-
NADIA. During that time the Governments
of New Granada and Of its successor,
Colombia, have been in a constant state
of fiux. The following is a partial list
of the disturbances on the Isthmus of
Panama during the period in question as
reported to us by our consuls. 1t is not
possible to give complete list. and some
of the reports that speak Of revolutions"
cT,,l 1l.rtt@
May %. 1S50.-Outbreak; two Ameri-
cans killed. War vessel demanded to
quell outbreak.
October. 1s5O.-Revolutionary plot to
bring about independence of the Isthmus.
July %. 1s51.-Revolution in four south
ern provinces.
Nov. IA, 1S51.-Outbreak at Chagres.
Man-of-war requested for Chagres.
June "a. 1s53.-Insurrection at Bogota,
and consequent disturbance on Isthmus.
War vessel demanded.
May %, 1S54.-Political disturbances;
war vessel requested.
June 2S, 1s54.-Attempted revolution.
Oct. "a 1s54.-Independence of Isthmus
demanded by provincial legislature.
April. 1S56.-Riot and massacre of
Americans.
May 4. 1S56-Riot.
May is, 1s56.-Riot.
June 3, 1S56.-Riot.
Oct. 2, 1S56.-Conhict between two ma
tive parties. United States forces landed.
Dec. IS. 1s5S.-Attempted secession of
Panama.
April. 1s59.-Riot.
September, 1S6O.-Outbreak.
Oct. 4, 1Se0.-Landing of United States
forces in consequence.
May 23 1S61.-Intervention of the United
States forces required by intendente.
Oct. 2. 1s51.-Insurrection and civil war.
April 4, 1S62.-Measures to prevent rebels
crossing Isthmus
June 13. 1S62.-Mosquera's troops re-
fused admittance to Panama.
March 1S65.-Revolution. and United,
States troops landed.
August, 1s65.-Riots; unsuccessful at
tempt to invade Panama.
March, 1s66-Unsuccessful revolution.
April, 1s67.-Attempt to overthrow Gov
ernment.
August. 1se7.-Attempt at revolution.
July 5, 1S6s-Revolution; provisional
government inaugurated.
Aug. %. 1S6s.-Revolution: provisional
government overthrow.
April. 1S71.-Revoiution: followed appar-
emily by counter revolution.
April, 1s73.-Revolution and civil war
which lasted to October, 1875.
August. 1S76--Civil war which lasted
until April, 1877.
July, 1s7S.-Rebellion.
December 1s7S.-Revon
April, 1s79.-Revolution.
June. 1S79.-Revolution.
March, 1ss3.-Riot. C.
May. 1ss3.-Riot.
June. sS4.-Revolutionary attempt
December, 1SS4.-Revolutionary attempt
January, 1SS5.-Revolutionary distur-
Dances.
March, 1ss5.-Revolution.
April. 1sS7.-Disturbance on Panama
railroad.
November. 1sS7.-Disturbance on line of
canal.
January. 1Sss.-Riot.
January. 1se5.-Revolution which lasted
until April.
March. 1se5.-Incendiary attempt.
October, 1S99.-Revolution.
February, 1900. to July, 1900-Revolution
January, 1s01.-Revolution.
July. so1--Revolutionary disturbances
September, 1s01.-City OF Colon taken
by rebels.
March, So2-Revolutionary distur-
bances
July. 19o2-Revolution.
The above is only partial list of the
revolutions. rebellions, Instructions
riots. and other outbreaks that have oc-
Cured during the period in question: yet
they number So for the 81 years. 1t will
be noted that one of them lasted for near
ly three years before it was quelled; an
other for nearly year. In short. the
experience OF over half a century has
shown Colombia to be utterly incapable
OF keeping order on the isthmus. Only
the active interference OF the United
States has enabled her to preserve so
much as a semblance OF sovereignty. Had
1t not been for the exercise by the United
States OF the police power In her interest.
her connection with the isthmus would
have been sundered long ago. In 1856, In
1s6o In 1873. in 1885. In 1901. and again In
1902. sailors and marines from United
States war ships were forced to land in
order to patrol the isthmus. to protect
life and property. and to see that the
transit across the isthmus was kept
open. In 1861. in 1862 In 1885. and in 1900,
the Colombian Government asked that the
United States Government would land
troops to protect its interests and MAIN
tain order on the isthmus. perhaps the
most extraordinary request Is that which
has Just been received and which runs
as follows:
knowing that revolution has already