Evening star., 1905-11-04

back to the yards and the cars disconnect-
ed. There was much telephoning and tele-
graphing on behalf of both parties. but the
soldiers were kept at Colon, Notwithstanding
the officers left there told Col Shaler that
If the train was not ready within two hours
the troops would charge the city and kill
every American in it.
Our Marines to the Front.
Our gunboat. the Nashville. was at this
time in the harbor and its Commander w.
NJ. Hunter. had been notified by Col. Shaler
that there was likely to be trouble. He had
told Capt. Hunter that If the American flag
should be raised upon his house. it would be
a signal for the marines to come to his
support. When the soldiers threatened to
fire upon the Americans, Col. Shaler hoisted
his flag and went to the docks. He had
hardly reached there before Capt Hunter
landed with a company of thilty-eight ma
rnes. Col. Shaler told his story watching
Capt. Hunter anNiously to see how he would
take 1t. If he should refuse to assume the
responsibility Shaler realized that it was all
up with Panama for the troops could not be
held back longer. AS he concluded Capt.
Hunter said:
Well colonel, the only thing I see to do
is to fortify the freight depot. You get
what men you can. and with them and the
marines l think we can prevent the cars
from going. This was done The marines
took the station, and piled up the cotton
bales lying there in front of them Col
Shaler ordered his men from the railroad
Shops and in short time there were sixty
more Americans ready to fight. In the
meantime the battle OF diplomacy was GO
ing on. The officers had already been ar
rested and word was sent from Panama
that the troops might come IL they wished.
This was in the evening, and Col. Shaler. on
the ground that he dared not risk his cars
the men carrying the soldiers across
the isthmus after dark, demanded that they
remain until morning. They stormed, but
waited. In the meantime the lights of a
second and a third American gunboat ap-
peared in the harbor of Colon and with
them more American marines. The Colon.
bian troops then saw that the game was up.
They decided to submit, especially as they
were promised by the revolutionists 5000
in gold If they did so. They took the money
and sailed back TO Colombia.
Where the Bribe Money Came From.
The story of the bribe money is also in
teresting. It was furnished by Colonel
Shaler. but not directly, for II It had been,
In case of the failure of the revolution, II
might have caused his railroad the loss OF
it's charter. The revolutionists knew that
he had the money In gold, and also that
they could not pay the soldiers IN any,
thing else. Colonel Shaler al first refused
to give up the gold, but said he would sell
IL to his Panama banker, a private party
for a New York draft If that could be ar
ranged. This was done by telegraph, the
bankers saying that they would take the
gold and give drafts for II. Upon this the
gold was handed over to the bankers agent
at Colon and the agent in turn gave II to
Captain Hunter. who saw that It reached
the right parties.
The troops having received their money
collected on the warf and there stopped,
refusing to go on the Royal Mail steamship,
which was to take them home, until their
officers should arrive from Panama They
held out until O'Clock that night, when
they tOnt< shin and med Tbafr
departure closed the revolution. Panama
was a republic, and as a result the United
States made the treaty which gave us the
ten-mile strip and the right to build the
canal.
Men Who Made Big Money.
In national movements such as the crea-
ton of a new republic and the selling of a