The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-04-04
Meeting of Citizens Dispersed
by the Governor
CANNOT REBUILD STORES
Recent Fire at Bocas Destroyed Bust
ness Portion of City and Govern
ment Refused to Reissue
Building Permits.
BY EARLE G, M'LIN.

! BY EARLE Z. M'LlN.
Bocas del Toro, Republic of Panama,
March 2l-(SpeciaL)-The first protest
against the new government of Panama
was made last night at an Indignation
meeting of the citizens and property
holders of Bocas del Toro, and that
/ trouble is brewing and another revolu-
ton about to be born is the BELIEF of
every conservative citizen of this portion
| of the isthmus.
The meeting was dispersed at the order
of the governor, by his force of armed
guards, and the right of free speech de-
MED before the real object of the meet
ing had been stated.
Excitement has reached such a heat
that it was thought advisable by some
| American interests to request the con-
sular agent at this place for a warship.
The request has been forwarded to Colon
to proper officials, and it is likely that
one of the large cruisers at that point
will be dispatched here by Tuesday of
the coming week
Revolution Threatened.
| The residents and property holders of
binary action of the government of Pan
anna, and II the government continues in
the attitude they have assumed In re-
gard to the confiscation of property the
entire isthmus will be effected and Pana-
ma will be once more In the throes of a
revolution
The recent fire at Bocas destroyed the
entire business section of this enterpris
ing town, and although this disaster oc-
n n nf hn
eminent has refused to date to issue per-
mits for the rebuilding of the burnt dis
trict. An appeal was made to Panama
1t was represented that this refusal to al
low the rebuilding of business houses was
paraiyzing the business of the town and
thousands OF dollars were being lost
daily by the delay of the government in
Issuing building permits.
The Panamanian government finally re-
sponded by sending a commission com
posed of the entire cabinet of the Presi-
dent to Bocas to investigate conditions at
this point This commission was met by
a committee of the largest property
holders In the city who made a formal APP
peal that they be allowed to reconstruct
| their burnt houses.
After consultation, Thomas Arias. the
secretary of state of the republic of Pan
anna, stated to the committee that the
present government repudiated all con-
cessiors made by the former government
Of Bogota and under present land laws
| the entire property In the burnt district
reverted to the government. who would
now offer II for sale the proceeds of such
| sale to go into the treasury of the new
republic.
| Thomas Arias stated further that the
| government reserved the right to con-
| denim and conflscate any and all property
| conceded by the former government at
| Bogota and offer 1t for sale on the open
| market, the proceeds of such sale to go
into the government treasury.
Business interests Affected.
This contemplated action on the part
\ of the government not only affects the
| business interests Of Bocas del Toro. but
| the entire business interest of the isthmus
| will be vitality affected and the represen-
tative citizens of Bocas met last night on
| the street beneath the prefecture to ex-
press their indignation at the contem-
plated action of the government.
Capt. F. G. Palmer of New York took
the stand and stated the object of the
meeting In few well chosen words, and
then introduced Mr.. D. r. Hand the
American consular agent at this place.
who proposed to read to the assembly
the resolutions passed by the committee
of property holders at a meeting held by
them upon the adjournment of the joint
meeting with the commission from Pan
anna earlier in the afternoon. Governor
Diaz at this juncture appeared on the
scene and peremptorily and arbitrarily
prohibited Mr.. Hand to read the resolu-
tions although the new constitution pro-
vides for the right Of free speech at all
orderly assemblages. Governor Dias then
called out an armed force to dispense the
crowd. Before its arrival however. Hon.
C. r Herbert of Ohio and Mr.. c. w.
Beckman, the German consul at this
point, protested vigorously to the gov
ernor against such an arbitrary act stat
ing that the citizens were unarmed ana
orderly and claimed the right OF free
speech. Upon the arrival Of the soldiers
the crowd dispersed without any disorder
and retired to their respective homes.
Much feeling. however, was engendered
by the governors action as well as That
| of the commission from Panama.
| Not only are native property holders af-
| fected but thousands of dollars worth of
| property of American and German inter-
| ests will revert to the Panamanian gov
| eminent If their contemplated enforce
ment of such an unjust and arbitrary act
is pushed through and approved by the
congress at Panama.
The Prime Mover.
| 1t is known that Thomas Arisa, the
| secretary of state. who has waxed sud
| denly wealthy In the last few months. is
| the prime mover in the movement OF the
government to confscate and appropriate
all property, the possession of which the
| citizens have enjoyed for terms of years,
ranging from five to fifty.
Much anxiety is now felt as to the out
come and the situation is likely to be-
come critical if the property holders car
~ out their intention TO proceed with the
rebuilding of their property regardless Of
the action of the Panamaian government