New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-21
THE PANAMA REVOLUTION
Details Of HoSc the Scheme Vas
Successfully Worked Ont.

y 4
the better class OF PanaInans-has for years
dreamed OF independence OF Colombia and I'm
Eunity from Colombian oppression: but they
lacked the power OF Initiative preferr.ns 10 put
OF until Fnanana" the attempt another people
would nave mace to-day. The canal project
forced the issue, however and the leaders among
the Panaulans met II in a manner which must
n time. win the admiration OF the world for
IS a political trick they did that which is with
out an equal overturning a government and
setting up their own independence without firing
8 shot or splitting drop OF blood
Early IN the current year Nuts Durand was
Governor OF the Department Of Panama He had
been sent TO preside over the department from
one Of the other departments in the Colombian
federation. and was essentially anti-Pana-
man. 1t happened, therefore that when the
Eay-Herran treaty had been ratified az Wash
ington and when the question Of ratification
was about TO come before the Colombian Con-
gress that he. who had the power OF appoint
nent Of the representatives from Panama, saw
10 Il that there should go to Bogota delega-
ton which would not oppose any scheme Co
lombia might evolve. Panama. enthusiastic for
the canal. recognized at once that Durand had
named men who were inimical 10 the para
mount interest Of the department. and that
moment the scheme for Panaman independence
began 10 assume shape
This was IN May last Common report and
formal statement made by those who IN
the movement at the time Of its inception gave
10 Dr.. Manuel AInador Guerrero, who is now in
the States IN company with Federico Boyd
and Constantine Arosenena, as a member of
the commission appointed TO negotiate a canal
treaty. credit for having launched the indie
pendent movement But while DR.. Amador Is
deemed the father Of Panaman independence, it
is doubtful If so much credit actually belongs
10 him
RAILROAD COMPANY PUSHED SCHEME
Rather is Il logical 10 assume that the officials
Of the Panama Railroad. nearly every Of
whom IS an American, are the more responsible
parties. The railroad corporation. which owns
a splendid piece Of property and which is doing
e thriving business IN transisthmian traffic, has,
for about fourteen years, been devoting the
whole OF its net earnings TO defraying the
pense Of the work necessary TO keep the canal
concession held by the New Panama Company
alive. The stockholders have realized nothing
from their investment in that period, and, as
the United States has agreed 10 purchase the
property for S7.0OO000 everybody connected
with the railroad. as stockholders and managers,
have been feverishIy anxious for the actual con-
summation Of the canal project.
Every Liberal IN Panama knew when Durand
appointed Sehors y Soto and Teran Senators from
Panama 10 the special session of the Colombian
Congress convened on July 90 last TO consider
the Eay-Herran treaty that the canal project
was in jeopardy. These two men did not repre-
sent the sentiment on the isthrnus a fact proved
by their open fight against ratification Of the
treaty well by the fact that they have
not returned 10 Panama since the adjournment
Of the Congress At the time these two men were
named as Panauan Senators Jose Agustin Ar
.anEo was Senator OF the Colombian Congress.
representing Panama No sooner did Durand
announce his appointments than arrange an
nounced that he would not go TO Bogota 10 be
outnurbered in the delegation by anti-Pana-
mans Now, il happened that Senor Arrange
was then, and is now. the special gent" Of the
Panama Railroad; in other words, the com
pauy's confidential agent and lobbyist. In this
capacity Senior Arrange has twice visited Bogota
in the interest OF the canal project. TO keep the
concession and promote ratification with the
United States Government The evidence seems
conclusive that when he refused 10 60 10 Bo-
gotta refusal uttered IN May last-he ar the
same time advanced the idea of independence
for the department in case the treaty should
fail.
ACTIVE STEPS TAKEN
arrange was not however, the man to openly.
o. even secretly. foster the scheme. That duty
devolved upon Dr. Amador, who is deemed the
vealthiest man in the department and there
fore who has more 10 gain from American
cupstion and the completion Of the canal than
has any other individual That Arrange acted as
the agent Of the Panama Railroad in proposing
10 Arnador the idea OF Panaman independence
is proved by subsequent developments Amador
was readily disposed 10 advance the project,
even though Il may not have originated with
HIM and the fact stands that he took the formal
initiative as long ago May last. At that time
meeting was held at DR.. Anador's residence
fronting the cathedral in this city. There
present DR.. Amador, Senior Arrange and Sehor
Tomas Arias-three men who may be set down,
without danger Of any contradiction, as the or
iginal instigators Of the revolution Of November
3. Al that meeting-and my informant is one
who was in the scheme from the beginning. and
whose statements have been fully corroborated
1t was decided by Amador. arrange and Arias
that II the Hay-Herran treaty should fail OF
ratification at Bogota blow should be struck
Tor Panaman independence.
This decision reached, the plan advanced rap
idly. Needing assistance in working out their
plan, the original trio Of conspirators carefully
selected four other men who might be taken
into their confidence These four were Constan-
tine Arosernena, q civil engineer; Ricardo Arias
brother OF Tomas Arias; Federico Boyd and y.
A. de Obarrio the last three named being mer-
chants in this city and men OF wealth and sub
stance. The circle OF conspirators included these
seven men as long ago as July / They met fire.
euenrly. but in secret holding their meetings