The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-24
SIGNS OF TROUBLE
British BOndh0lderS See Chance
to Collect Debt.
Want a Chance at $1O,OOO,OOO
Canal Money. =
PANAMA REPUDIATES.
Denies Responsibility for Colom-
bias Obligations.
Statement of the Case to Be
Sent to Washington.

,
Lansdowne has requested the council
of the foreign bondholders to supply
further details of the Colombian loan.
When drawn up these will be forward
ed to Ambassador Durand and present
ed to Washington, to urge the rights of
British bondholders in connection with
the republic of Panama.
From the council the Associated Press
secured the following:
In regard to the reported statement
of the Panama commissioners that Pan
anna declines responsibility for the Co
lombian debt on the ground that when
the greater part of the money was bor-
rowed Panama was not included in Co
Iombia, the facts appear to be as fol-
lows:
Panama declared it's independence
of Spain November %. 1921, and in the
solemn declaration of the revolutionary
junta stated:
" That the territory of the isthmus
belonged to the republican state of Co
lombia, to the congress whereof it
would, in due course, send its deputy
The war with Spain continued for some
time thereafter and in 1922 Colombia is
sued an external loan of 1O,000, 900, the
greater part of which was to be devoted
to prosecuting the war of independence.
In 1924 Colombia issued a further loan
of $23, $780, 900 for the same purpose. 1t
would be surprising if Panama at
! tempted to repudiate responsibility for
the money which assisted her to become
part of a free state.''
The foregoing is the gist of a lengthy
statement which will be forwarded to
the British embassy at Washington.
BRIGHT OUTLOOK IN PANAMA
Mobile Ala Nov 2A-C9nf Tr13l1r1
of the Norwegian steamer. Fort Gaines,
which has arrived from Bocas Del
TOro, reports that the new Panama
government seems to have irf1bued the
people with the greatest confidence
Business at Bocas Del Toro is pro-
crossing as never before. the brighten
ing in all lines being quite noticeable.
He says the confidence in business is
especially shown in the premium on
gold. When Bocas Del Toro was in
Colombia the premium was $780, but
that already it has dropped to $3.50,
and conservative business men predict
$3.50 IN a short time.
When the Fort Gaines sailed the
United States gunboat Nashville was
anchored off Bocas Del Toro. There
are a few Panama soldiers at Rocas
Del Toro. but they have nothing to do.
No United States soldiers are quar-
tered on shore.
PANAMA'S COUNSEL ARRIVES.
New York, Nov. 24.-Among the pas
sengers who arrived on board the
steamer Seguranca from Colon were De
Pablo Arosemena of Panama, and Cap
tain F. H. Delano of the United States
ship Dixie. De Pablo Arosemena will
act as counsel for the Panama commits
sion. which recently arrived from Colon
he is understood to bring word of the
latest plans and desires of Panama
| government and his arrival has been
awaited by the members of the commits
sion.
DR.. Arosemena was met down the bay
by Roger L. Farnham, the representa-
| tive of Lawyer w. N Cromwell the
counsel for the French Panama Canal
company. DR.. Arosemena in reply to a
question concerning the payment of the
| $10,000,0 900 in Panama. said:
The payment of moneys will be a
matter of the treaty. I have just been
informed that the treaty has been sign
ed. I did not believe it when 1 first
heard the news as I did not think that
it would be signed SO soon.''
Speaking of general conditions at pres
ent in Panama. and of its government,
| he said:
Things are quiet on the isthmus at
present and are moving smoothly. The
junta which consists of a governing
| board of three will rule until the ma
tional convention meets which may be
| in about two months. The constitution
will then be adopted and there will be a
| change in the government. There will,
of course be a president and cabinet.
L
be vice president, but there will be a
provision whereby there will be a sub
| stitute in case of resignation or death
of the president"
Speaking of the arrival of the Colom-
bian peace delegates on the Sartageno.
DR.. Arosemena said they were well re-
ceiVed and that the conference was held
on board the Dixie.
He thought Panama could maintain
her independence without aid from the
United States. If we could procure yes
sells sufficient to defend our coast 1t is
practically impossible for Colombia to
reach US except by landing troops on our
| shores. Without the United States
however, we might not be so successful,
for Colombia has an excellent army
which is we'll drilled and competent. /
believe that we could get ships if there
was any necessity for SO doing. The
| young men of Panama are going into
| the army. There is a most enthusiastic
feeling on the isthmus. All parties
are now united and I believe in a case
of necessity we could put 10000 men il
the field. We do not want war: what
we want is peace and prosperity"
The members OF the PanauT. commits
sion which arrived on the steamer City
of Washington are here from Washing
| ton It was said that they have de-
cided TO hold the conference with DR.
Arosemena here The treaty will be
brought u and It is said that he will
be consulted and that such suggestions
or amendments as he may think advis-
able may be inserted. They hav- prac-
tically framed the constitution
Captain Delano. of the Dixie, is en
route to Washington for orders. He
arrived at Colon on the Dixie November
;. sust in time to land a force of ma
rines and assist in the embarkation OF
the Colombian soldiers who arrived from
Cartagena on the British steamship Or
iaoco. Captain Delano was not will G
to talk at sll regarding the situation
there. He said. however. that the acute