The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-04


dared TO speak OF Independence for Pana-
ma. A while ago there was n secret plan
afoot TO cut loose from Colombia and seek
the protection OF the United States"
In the New York Herald OF September
10 the following statement appeared:
Representatives OF strong interests on
the Isthmus Of Panama who make their
headquarters In this city, are considering
a plan OF action to be undertaken IN CO.
operation with men OF similar views In
Panama and Colon to bring about revo-
luton and form an independent govern-
ment in Panama opposed TO that in Bogo-
Ia.
There Is much Indignation on ths 18TH
mus on account OF the failure OF the sanal
treaty, which is ascribed TO the authori-
ties at Bogota. This opinion In believed 20
be shared by a majority OF the Isthmians
of all shades OF political belief. and they
think Il is TO their best interest for a new
republic 10 be formed on the 1sthmus,
which may negotiate directly with the
United States new treaty which will
permit the digging OF the Panama canal
under favorable conditions.
In the New York Times, under date OF
September ls. there appeared from Bogo-
ia the following statement;
A proposal made by Senior Perex Sotos
20 ask the executive TO appoint an anti
secessionist governor In Panama has been
approved by tho senate. Speakers In the
senate said that Cenor Obaldia, who was
recently appointed governor of Panama.
and who Is favorable to a canal treaty,
was a menace TO the national integrity.
Senator Marroduin protested against the
action OF the senate
President Marroquin succeeded later In
calming the congressman IL appears that
he was able to give them ga atfsfa ctory
reasons for Governor Obaldia's appoint
ment. He appears to realize the imminent
peril Of the Isthmus of Panama declaring
Its Independence.
Senor Deroux. representative for a.
Panama constituency. recently delivered
sensational speech in the house. Among
other things he said:
In Panama the bishops. governors
magistrates. military chiefs and their
subordinates have been and are foreign
10 the department. II seems that the
government. with surprising tenacity
wishes TO exclude the isthmus from all
participation I'm public affairs. AS re-
CARDS international dangers IN the 18th
mus. all l can say is that II these dan
gers exist they are due 10 the conduct
Of the national government, which is in
l'the direction Of reaction.
IF the Colombian government Will not
take action with n view TO preventing
disaster. the responsibility will rest with
IL alone"
In the New York Herald OF October 2s
IL was reported that a revolutionary ex-
pedition Of about 20 men had actually
landed on the isthmus. In the Washing
ton Post OF October 20 Il was reported
from Panama that in view Of the impend-
ing trouble on the isthmus the Bogota
government had gathered troops In suf-
fic!ent numbers to at once put down an
attempt at secession. In the New York
Herald OF October 80 IL was announced
from Panama that Bosota was hurry
ing troops to the isthmus 10 put down
the projected revolt. In the New York
Herald Of November 2 II was announced
that in Bogota the congress had indorsed
the energetic measures taken TO meet
the situation on the isthmus and that
5000 men were about to be sent thither.
TROUBLE IMPENDING.
Quotations like the above could be null
| tiplied indefinitely. Suffice II to say that
, IL was notorious that revolutionary trou-
bic OF n serious nature was impending
| upon the isthmus. But II was not neces :
sary TO rely exclusively upon such general
means OF information. on October 10
/ Commander Hubbard OF the navy notified
| the navy department. that, though things
were quiet on the isthmus a revolution
had broken out in the state Of Cauca.
On October 1s at the request Of Leuten-
ant General Young l saw Capt. G. B.
| Humphrey and Lieut. Grayson Mallet-
| Provost Murphy. who had Just returned
! from n four months tour through the
northern portions OF Venezuela and CO.
| lombia. They stopped in Panama on
! their return in the latter part of Sep
| tember. At the time they were sent
down there had been no thought Of tneir
going TO Panama. and their visit 10 the
! isthmus was but an unpremeditated in
cident OF their return Journey: nor had
! they been spoken to by anyone at Wash
! ington regarding the possibility of a re-
! volt. Until they landed at Colon they
had no knowledge that a. revolution was
impending, save what they had gained
| from the newspapers. What they saw
I'm Panama so impressed them that they
| reported thereon TO Lieutenant General
Young. according to his memorandum
that while on the isthmus they became
| satisfied beyond question that. owing
largely TO the dissatisfaction because OF
| the failure OF Colombia TO ratify the Hay
| Herran treaty. a revolutionary party was
/ I'm course of organization having for Its
| object the separation OF the state OF
/ Panama from Colombia, the leader being
| DR.. Richard Arrange, a former governor
OF Panama: that when they were on the
| isthmus arms and ammunitons were
being smuggled into the city OF Colon
| I'm piano boxes, merchandise crates. etc
the small arms received being principally
the Gras French rife. the Remington. and
| tHt nearly every CltlHen III
! Panama had some sort OF rife or gun I'm
his posses ession, with ammunition therefor
! that I'm the city OF Panama there had
/ been organized a nre brigade which was
really intended for a revolutionary mill
tary organization; that there were repre-
sentatives Of the revolutionary organiza
tion at all important points on the istn-
mus: that In Panama, Colon and the
other principal places on the isthmus
there were In reality revolutionary forces
that the people on tho isthmus seemed
/ TO he unanimous In their sentiment
against the Bogota government, and
their disgust over the failure OF tina,
government 10 ratify the treaty provid-
ing for the construction Of the canal
and that a revolution might be expected
Immediately upon the adjournment OF the
Colombian congress without ratification
| Of the treaty"
] Lieutenant General Young rega I'd ed
their report as Of such Importance as 10
make II advisable that I should person
ally see these officers, They told me
what they had already reported 70 the
1 49, l..