Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-11-18
MESSAG HAD
TO BE CHANGED
The Crisis In Panama Neeessitated
the Rewriting Of a Part Of Pres
ident's Communication.
SITUATION FIRMLY DEALT WITH
insineere Negotiations by Colombia
Causes Us to Take Matter Into
Our Own Hands.

Panama, Nov. 15.-What Is describ-
ed here in Panama as the United
States broad Interpretation of the
clause Of the treaty Of 1886, regarding
the protection of traffic across the Is.
thmus," is deemed ample for the pre-
vention of the transportation Of troops
by sea and of consequent hostilities.
The Pacific Steam Navigation COM
pany. a British concern, plying be-
tween Panama and Buena Ventura,
has a clause In its contract with the
Colombian government which says
that it must under normal condi-
tions" transport government troops.
1t can, however, be said authoritative
ly that the company will not trans
port Colombian troops to the isthmus
under present conditions, and that II
has not been asked by the Colombian
government to do so. Other vessels
which might bring troops from any
Colombian port for any point in the
republic Of Panama will be prevented
by the naval authorities from disem.
barking them in case they insist on
so doing after a warning has been Civ.
en-.
The revenues of the new republic,
il economically administered. promise
to meet all expenses. These revenues
consist of the ten per cent ad valorem
duty on imports, slaughter house tax.
es, liquor licenses and similar sources
of income, as well as fair yearly sums
derived from those holding a monop-
oily of the tobacco business, from
gambling privileges at Panama and
Colon, and from lottery. These
sources Of revenue do not include $5,-
900 in gold per week formerly paid
by the Panama railroad company, a
United States concern, to the Bogota
government. which retained $4,000
giving to the state OF Panama only
$780, The government OF the new re
public. realizing the necessity of keep
ing its army in a contented condition
s paying is officers and soldiers with
the utmost promptness.
General Obildia appeared on the
streets of Panama yesterday for the
first time since November 3, when the
independence Of the isthmus was pro.
claimed. He was greeted cordially by
friends and acquaintances.
II is generally asserted that the Is.
thmians will eventually insist upon
separation of church and state, as
such separation was one of the meas.
ures demanded by the liberal party
in the last revolution, and the popu.
lation of the isthmus Is largely liber-
al.
Washington, Nov. l3.-President
Roosevelt today formally received M
Philippe Bunau Varilla, the newly ac.
credited envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary of Panama tr
the United States.
The reception of the minister mark
ed the birth of the new republic OF
Panama into the family vi nations and
paves the way for negotiations be
tween the United States and the In
fant republic precisely as they may
be conducted between any two sover-
eign nations.
The ceremony incident to the recep
ton of Minister Bunau Varilla and the
presentation OF his credentials occur.
red in the blue room of the White
House at 8 o'clock this morning. AT
a few minutes before that hour Min.
lister Bunau Varilla. accompanied by
Secretary of State Hay, in the lat.
ter's state carriage, arrived at the
White House. The secretary's car.
riage was followed by landau. the
only occupant of which was Minister
Bunau Varilla's young sun. Secretary
Hay and the new minister. both at
tired in conventional morning dress,
entered the White House. accompan.
led by the ministers son and were
shown into the blue room. They were
Joined almost Immediately by Private
Secretary Loeb.