New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-18
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE UNITED STATES AND PANAMA
The Government at Washington III No Way
Responsible for the Isthmian Revolution.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: So many attempts have been made by news
papers both American and foreign. to cause 1t to
appear that the recent revolution on the Isthmus
of Panama originated in the United States. even If
II directly indirectly inspired by our
government that II has occurred 10 me that certain
facts recorded in diary which kept in the year
lS9S-nearly years prior the establishment OF
the isthmian republic-may aid in convincing any
Americans who still in doubt on this point that,
however satisfactory the establishment OF the new
republic may have since proved to u.s. the revolu-
ton was not due to outside influences. but was the
perfectly natural and inevitable result OF local
causes and at the same time a bona fde express
sion both of the will and of the common sense OF
the Isthmians.
In the month of April 1898. I left Colon, where
had for several months been in charge of our con-
sulate AT the railway station in Colon was joined
by Porfirio Melendez who at that time project.
provincial governor. OF the eastern half OF the
isthmus Mr.. Melendez travelled with me as far as
his home at Bujo. and his conversation proved very
interesting me. What he said was briefly this:
The Isthrnians felt most kindly toward the United
States relied upon It entirely for their protec-
ton. the port of Colon being unfortifed One thing
however, the Isthmians cherished against US,
namely, that whenever they had attempted to win
their independence from unprogressve Colombia by
landing troops TO prevent the interruption OF transit
across the isthmus the government OF the United
States had at deprived them of the possibility
of success. such action prevented an appeal to
arms, which would have undoubtedly resulted IN
the ultimate success of the revolution.
When l showed surprise at hearing high Co
lombian official express such sentiments. Mr.
Melendez did rot hesitate to assure me that what
said was the prevailing opinion among all classes
of Isthmians and he ADDED that If II had not been
for such intervention OF the United States the
isthmus would have long before become indie
pendent republic. In Justification OF this demand
for independence, Mr. Melendez stated that there
was ehSouteIv no community of interests between
Bogota and Panama, the former being far away In
the mountains. while Panama was absolutely de
pendent upon the for its prosperity The people
OF Panama, he said knew very well that their
future intimately connected with the canal.
and that II the isthmus lose the canal
owing TO obstruction or Indifference Bogota ruin
would result and the cities of Panama and Colon
to my assertion that 1 could not believe that the
Colombian government at Bogota would do any
the Panama route. the project replied that as
Panama is IN the length OF time required Tor the
ST Petersburg. it was hardly to be expected that
seen the sea-would ever take any very lively In.
terest In the canal except as possible source or
WINGED that the interests or the lsthmians would
never be properly protected until they could take
fairs. His argument seemed TO me reasonable. and
l was persuaded by II that just ground for revo-
The action recently taken by the Colombian gov
ernment in rejecting the treaty proves that Mr..
Melendez understood the situation six years ago.
and that he was right in claiming that the 18TH
mians themselves were the only Colombans com
beretofope been IN DOUBT that the reyoi1ton on the
sthmus not suggested directly or indirectly by
government, but was the spontaneous act or
the Isthmans who were fully justified in their re-
volt by the absolute indifference to their interests
evinced by the act OF the government at Bo6ota In
Mr. Melendez is. believe stin project OF Colon
under the new government. and feel sure that he
will not hesitate TO confirm the accuracy OF the
GEORGE H MURPHY.
United States Consulate General Frankfort. Ger
many Jan. 3, 1904