The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-11-30

the Panama government. He con-
trolled the 500 troops absolutely and
besides had powerful hold upon
the public. Though but 80 years of
age, he had weathered SO revolutions.
He carried the army over to Panama
when the revolt was declared against
Colombia n year ago. Besides, as
every child in the street knows. that
false hand the little general carries
so proudly represents great courage.
and part of the hand had been car
ried away. 1t was in the midst of
IA civil conflict. four years ago. and
Huertas was leading the Colombian
government forces. He took n
machet from his belt and hacked of
the wounded member and II was said
that he led his men for four hours
before he tainted from loss OF blood
So the army and adoring public
sentiment were with Huertos and
President Amador notified the sec
rotary of state of the note. Arias
announced his resignation the same
day and there were demonstrations
in the streets of the city wherever
Huertas appeared. A heroic sized
portrait OF the general was displayed
In the show window of the American
bazaar.
Flushed by this victory Huertas
grew holder. He Is n revolutionist
by nature. He regrets the day Pan
anna declared her Independence. for
his troops are bound to be idle so
long as American guns are pointing
over the isthmus. If he can't fight.
though, he would be content with a
fat income. and this he Is sure to
miss without the annual revolution.
This was IIuertas' philosophy:
Let my restless army make trouble
for the Panaman government. The
liberals will be my supporters We
will overthrow Amador. The United
States will intervene. The govern
ment will he taken over as n terri
tory. The army will be made rural
guards. l will be chief at fat sal
airy. Then, there are left $4,000. 900
Of those 100000 the United States
paid fer the canal strip. and this
money has got to go somewhere.
In support OF this l may say that
l heard Huertas express this poetic
sentiment: THE Panama flag is not
right. The blue star should be cut
out and sewed to the American flag.
Then the remainder of the Panama
flag should be thrown away"
Less than n week had passed since
Arias had resigned and Gen. Santa
go de la Guardia. former minister to
Costa Rica. had surplanted him. when
Huertas sent another dictatorial note
to President Amador at the palace.
This note complained OF Nicholas
Victoria, who rs minister of public
works, had refused patronage to some
OF Iluertas friends. The general
OF the army Is said to have also de-
mauded Victoria's resignation, and
| President Armador had refused
This ment trouble. Sunday was
n rainy day. The stuffy gambling
rooms In Panama were crowded and
the whirr of the ball In the roulette
| wheel was unceasing. Near midnight
n rumor was spread that there was
| unusual activity at the barracks Like
magic. and true to the Panama theory
that live crowd beats two dead
| heroes, lights went out quickly and
dark figures skulked across Plaza
Santa Ana, leaving the city quiet
and seemingly deserted In short order.
Just before the cathedral clock
struck Monday mohning, messen-
ger appeared at the United States
consulate and routed Lee out of bed.
The American diplomatic officer
could hardly credit the story the mes
senger told him, Here. In a city filled
| with Americans. with 600 United
States marines at Empire. 80 min
utes away: with 400 United States
police officers In the zone. with a
fleet of four United States men-of-
war due In port In six hours. and with
the converted cruiser Dixie at Colon.
here was the general of the Panama