The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-16
IsTHMIANs ARE AMUsEn.
Colombian's Threats Are Regarded as
Altogether n "BIuH.v


PANAMA, Nov. 15.-President Marroquin's
statement as conveyed in cablesram to
General Plaza, President of Ecuador, that
Generals Reyes. Caballeros, Ospina snd Hol-
guin are marching on the isthmus 30 sup
press the isthmian traitors" has sset the
entire population of the isthmus Laughing.
Protected by the impenetrability OF the
land and the many leagues Of ceast line
separating the isthmus from Colombia and
confident that the United States in,ends to
prevent the landing Of Colombian soldiers
from the sea. the isthmians feel that their
security is absolute.
The loss of the isthmian territory is, Of
course, a tragedy for Colombia. The gov
ernment at Bogota is probably ignorant OF
the attitude taken by the government OF
the United States during the last two weeks.
In a frenzy Ito save Its face to appease
angry and disappointed populace and to
satisfy the public demand for some appear
ance Of activity and an attempt to save the
honor and the territorial integrity OF Colom-
bia. the government is. no doubt. promising
and threatening to send forces to the coast
and to take other aggressive steIss. The
realization by the Colombian government
of the impossibility of sending troops to- the
taking these steps. which. as already stated.
are intended merely to satisfy the people.
well-informed people on the isthInus be-
lieve that the Colombian government 10
going through all these forms OF organiz-
ing expeditions not merely for the foregoing
reasons, but owing 10 the necessity OF FORE
stallng or of weakening the threatened
revolutionary outbreak in Bogota.
The growing feeling against President
Marroquin is believed to be due to she fact
that he did not show sufficient detarmina-
ton TO effect the ratification of the canal
treaty. which would have saved t1e isth-
mus to Colombia, and because he appointed
General Obaldia Governor OF the Depart
ment Of the Panama after Obaldia had
declared that he would remain a Colombian
If the treaty were ratified. but thai other
wise he would be Psnamanian. General
Obaldia was born in Chiriqui. in TIE State
of Panama.
Miners and others familiar with tke coast
on both sides OF the isthmus declfse that
any attempt TO march an exped.tionary
isthmus would be futile Both coasts con-
sist of impossible jungles and swansps and
rivers. without towns or roads 0r any
means for the provisioning of arr army.
The members of the junta have hot the
slightest fear that any such expedition
will be attempted, and they receive the
reports of such expeditions with eGuanim-
ity. What is described here I'm Panama an
the United States broad Interpretation
of the clause of the treaty OF 1876. regard
ing the protection OF traffic across the
isthmus' is deemed ample for the preven-
ton of the transportation OF troops by sea
and of consequent hostilities. The Pacific
Steam Navigation Company, a British CON.
cern plying between Panama and Buena
Ventura has a clause I'm its contracts with
the Colombian government which says that
IL must under normal conditions trans
port government troops. 1t can he said
authoritatively, however, that the company
will not transport Colombian troops TO the
isthmus under present conditions. and that
il has not been asked by the Colombian
government TO do so. Other vessels which
bring troops from any Colombian port for
any point in the Republic OF Panarn rna will
be prevented by the naval authorities from
disembarking them in case they insist on
so doing, after warning has been given.
The revenues of the new republic. IL eco
nomically administered. promise 20 meet
all expenses. These revenues consist of the
10 per cent ad valorem duty on imports
slaughter taxes, liquor Licences and
similar sources OF income. as well: as the
fair yearly sums derived from those sholdinR
monopoly OF the tobacco business, from
| the gambling privileges Mt Panaria and
| Colon. and from the lottery. These sources
| of revenue do not include $500 I'm sold per
week formerly paid by the Panama Eailroad
| Company. a United States concern. TO the
/ Bogota government, which retained A.50Q
/ giving TO the state of Panama only 500.
| The Colombian government, hewever
during recent financial distress. arranged
| with the railroad company for advance
OF the weekly payments for period cover.
! CONTINUED ON PAGE s. COL. e.