Evening star., 1903-11-23
PREPARING TO FIGHT
COLOMBIA RAISING ARMY TO
MARCH ON IsTHMUs.
Gen. Salazar Predicts Horrible Con-
sequences for Pamamaians-Can-
not Trust Colombia.

The following cablegram from anama was
received last night:
Gen. Victor Salazar, formerly governor
of the department of Panama and who dur
ing the last revolution was supreme COM
mander of all the Colombian forces on the
isthmus, has been requested to give his
opinion concerning the present trend of
affairs on the isthmus, and telegraphs as
follows from Palmira, in the department
of Cauca:
"PALMIRA. November 21..-I consider the
movement unworthy and unpatriotc l
deplore it deeply because in each Pana-
maian 1 see friend and brother and be-
cause for that land l would wish only days
of glory and welfare. The road 1t follows
leads to suicide, and even it is not
too late to reflect and save Panama the
horrible consequences.
The departments of Cauca and Antioquia
and the whole of Colombia, without polit-
ical social distinctions, will rise like one
man to defend the national integrity. Gen.
Tribe Tribe, Gen. Benjamin Herrera and
all liberals have offered their services to
the government. An army of 100000 men,
now being organized and to be commented
by both liberal and conservative leaders,
will soon march on the isthmus.
1.-THE fact that American help was asked
for and accepted by Panama characterlzes
the movement as reasonable to the father
land misleading in sentiment and offensive
to the national dignity
Not Friendly to Us.
Since 1902, when Admiral Casey refused
to permit transportation of Colombian
troops on the Panama railroad, Gen. Sal
azar has entertained a bitter dislike for
the people of the United States At that
time he cabled through the Associated
Press a sensational protest to the world
against the action of Admiral Casey
Gen Salazar is most influential among
the younger element of the Colombians.
He is courageous and energetic. but of a
quiXotic nature and probably believes that
his statement that an army of 100000 Is
being organized will stun the people of the
new republic.
Ell Duende, in it's last nights edition,
says:
The Panamaians alone do not fear
the Colombians, but they fear them less
now that they assured Of the aid of
their Yankee brothe's."
MarroquIn Must Fall.
1t is believed here that any organization
of big army by Colombia will result in
the downfall of President Marroquins gov
ernment. brought ABOUT by the liberals or
by combination of the nationalists. head
ed by former President Caro-.
An imposing scene took place this morn
ing in the Piazza d dArmes. when Minister
of War Obarrio was presented to the troops
of the republic by Senor Arias. a mem
ber OF the junta, and Gen. HuertaS. Senor
Arias made a short speech to the soldiers
who paraded in front of the minister pay,
ing him the honor due to his rank. The
Panama divisions of the isthmian troops.
fully uniformed and flying the national col
Crs, took part in the ceremony
A cablegram from Colon last night says:
A proclama ton published on the street
corners of Colon today invites all malcon-
tents to leave the country at the expense
of the republic. Gems. Harria and Busta-
mente returned to Colon today on board the
Canada. They will continue their journey
to Savanilla. The United States cruiser
Atlanta and the United States gunboat
Nashville have returned to Colon.
A Bogota cablegram via Buenaventura
last night says: The German minister today
gave a banquet to the Colombian ministers
for war and foreign relations, during which
he said that.he deplored the occurrences on
the Isthmus Of Panama.
Discussing the situation, the Bogota press
asks that In case an amicable agreement
should be reached between the government
and Panama that the canal treaty be rati-
fed, and that political and administrative
autonomy be granted to Panama. the
former department remaining in the United
States Of Colombia only for the purpose of
dealing with international questions.
A Panama cablegram last night says: A
prominent Panamaian, referring tonight
to the efforts of the Bogota government to
conciliate the people of the itshmus, and to
the suggestion made that should Panama
re-enter the union it be given political and
administrative autonomy, and that the
canal treaty would be ratified, said:
These are the last efforts to save Co
lombia from the complete disaster which is
imminent. We are sincerely sorry for our
brothers, but we know the Colombians too
well to believe their promises. We do not
doubt their good faith. still their quixotic
nature and the enthusiasm of the moment
make them deceive themselves, not us. We
would do anything for our brothers, but our
destinies, now and forever must be sepa-
rate. Civilization so DEGREES it"