The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-04

Ancon, Canal Zone, Nov. 22.-His- tory is making fast in this year old republic. Less than a month ago, Gen. eral Esteban Huertas, then comman- der of the Panamanian army, was the great military hero, and without uoubt, the most influential man in the country. Today he is dethroned idol, living quietly on his plantation at Agua Dulce.
 But for the interposition of the American government in the events of Thursday last, one more revolution would have been on; General Huertas would have been President. or at least Dictator of the Isthmian Rer ublic, and Dr. Amador Guerrero would have been occupying a prison cell. or met a worse fate. As 1t is, the man who, on the day following the secession of Panama from Colombia was literally bathed in champagne by the champions of the 1nsurrectionary movement, becomes by his last act nothing more or less than . traitor.
 Although General Huertas was pos Desed of strong aspirations for politi- cal fame and prestige, this alone did not lead him to take the step which resulted in his undoing, but he was made the tool of enemies of the pres ent administration. When the Gener afs tiff with ex-Secretary Arias be- came public, the opposition saw their opportunity. They were quick to realize that the General would be more or less inflated with his success in getting Arias deposed from office, and would be willing to try his hand again. more especially as his feelings toward President Amador were far from friendly.
 The main feature of the plan by which the government of Amador was to be overturned, comprenended the Incarceration of the Presidents per non. and the seizure of his office by General Huertas supported by his troops. It is possible that there might have been some blood shed had not the plot come to light prematurely. Pres- 1dent Amador appealed for protection to the American Legation, and Secre- ttary Lee acting in the absence of Min lister Barrett. issued a note of warn ing to Huertas. stating in substance that he would hold him responsible for any trouble that might occur in which his troops took a part. The story is going the rounds of the city that the General was informed he would be placed in irons and taken to Sing Sing, but this is merely report set in circulation arising from the events of the day.
 This warning. however, served to put damper on the entire movement. but did not deter General Huertas from withdrawing his men from the Presidents palace, where they do daily guard duty, oh Thursday morning, concentrating them at the barracks. This was a day of more CT less sus- pense. for there were some that be- Neved that the Genereal might defy side, one hundred American marines from the camp at Empire, fourteen miles away, were detailed to report at Ancon. just outside the city, on Zone territory as a protection to the Amer ican residents and others.
 None of the Americans in the city ' were greatly scared. nor did they have need to be. The fighting strength of the Panamanian army all told. does not exceed 400 men. while at Empire there is fully this number of American marines stationed. Further, if any American had the least qualm of un- easiness, he had only to cast his eyes out to the bay where the entire South Pacific squadron consisting of the New York, Marblehead. Boston and Ben nington. lay riding at anchor. Tho warships came into port couple of days before the occurrences above mar rated, but remained out at the regular anchorage until the morning of Thurs day when as a matter of precautiop they moved closer up to the city. It may be stated that had the necessity arisen. these ships could have landed within two hours HOO trained fighting men. Why couldn't the Americans feel easy?
 There IS no question but what the whole revolutionary movement hinged on American non-intervention. The men back of it depended on the United States government treating these ever recurring revolutions in the same light as did the French government in years gone by. In those days, when a revo- lution broke out. work on the canal was suspended in whole or in part, and the French looked calmly on until the clash was over, and one side or the other had been put out of business. But here was where the mistake was made.
 It has taught a vaIuable lesson to malcontents, and it is safe to say that