Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13
M|N|STERJOHN BARRETT
His Work as United States
Representative at Panama.
PREVENTED A REVOLT
ACTED AS MOTHER AND NURSE
TO BABY REPUBLIC.
Believes the Canal Will Pay for Itself
in Five Years-Prospects of
Enormous Trade.
Copyright, 1905, by Frank G. Carpenter)

Copyright, 1905 by Frank c. Carpenter)
PANAMA.
BY the time this letter is published John
Barret will be steamng up the MaSdalena
river On his way to Bogota, to take charge
of his new post as minister to Colombia.
This appointment is an excellent one. Min
lister Barrett understands all the ms and
outs of Panama politics and Panama poll
ticians. He realizes the feelings of the
Colombans and ne can do more than any
other man to bring the two republics to-
gether and 1T the same time keep them
both in harmony with the United States.
He is a diplomat from the fuzzy hair on
his sem-bald head to the leather soles of
his white canvas shoes and he has been
wonderfully successful in dealing with the
Spanish-American republics. This has been
especially so here at Panama. This little
republic is to a large extent Uncle Sans
baby, and the minister has had to take the
place of foster mother and nurse. Not only
in its relations to Colombia, Costa Rica,
and other foreign countries. but in dealing
with the government of our zone, Panama
has relied upon our minister for counsel
and advice. Such assistance had to be deli
cately rendered in order not to patronize or
offend the officials of the Panama govern
ment, and in this respect Minister Barrel
has admirably succeeded. He has done
much TO develop cordial feeling here for
the United States and to bring the two
nations together. The Panamans look upon
him their friend. His receptions are at
tended by as many natives as by Ameri-
cans, and the American legation has been
made rendezvous for high Colombian Off
cials. John Barrel seems to understand the
Latin character. The Panamans say he is
sympatico, which means that he is in in
sympathy with them, and he has, / find
the close friendship of the president and
ha off al hn alt lie
trust each other, seem to have faith in him.
A Revolution Which Failed.
In this come ction l want to tell you how
the American minister prevented revolu-
ton here last winter. Panama, as you
know, is a Spanish-American republic. Its
citizens have sucked in the revolutionary
spirit with their mothers milk. They have
had, it is said. something like forty-seven
revolutions in ffty-one years. and the
common opinion is that there would be revo-
buttons now, We're 1t not for the fear of
Uncle Sans big stick Panama has its
political parties, and the outs want to get
in just they do in the United States.
Early last winter the opposition party con-
spired with Gen. Estaban Huertas. the head
of the army, and planned a revolution, in
tending to overthrow the government. The
general was little more than a boy and his
army was only 800 men, but the two We're
strong enough to have wiped out the gov
crUncnt- ana 10 nave caused an enormous
amount of trouble. not to say bloodshed.
had they been permitted to work in the
ordinary South American way.
in accordance with the plot, the general
told President AmadOr that he must dismiss
his minister of foreign affairs. This
was done General Uuertas then made
more demands which led to the belief that
lie intended to take control of the gov
eminent and compel the president to make
appointments and issue orders as he should
dictate. At this time the American minister
was called in for advice and cooperation.
AIr. Barrel took the position that the con-
Stitution of Panama and treaty give
the United States the right to interfere to
maintain order. and l understand he told
the president that Uncle Sam would GER
tainiy interfere if occasion demanded He
advised President Amador TO order the
army to dsband, and to ask the
commander-in-chief to resign his Office.
He told the president that the army would
always be at least dangerous element.
and that IL was of no particular value TO
the state. as our government would pro-
tect Panama from foreign invasions, and
as the local police. strengthened by our
marines. could always keep order.
How Panama Lost It's Army.
Upon that President Amador decided to
disband the army and there was great ex-
element in consequence. Rumors of re-
sistance by the soldiers were rife, and 4
company of American marines was brought
in from Empire to Ancon. on the outskirts
of Panama. TO be ready for any emergency.
Certain of the hot-heads wanted the ma
rines brought right into the city and sta
toned around the presidents house for his
protection but Minister Barrett objected.
He said il was best to prevent the actual
interference by the American forces If pos
sible and that II would he better to let
the Panama government control the situa-
ton itself as a matter of International
credit He also wished TO avoid the charge
which might be made by South America
and by the opposition party in the United
States that President Roosevelt, now that
he was reelected. was using the big stick
without regard 20 consequences.
1t was at Barrets suggestion that PreSi-
dent Amador then sent word to the soldiers
that IL they disbanded without trouble they
would have sixty days pay in addition to
the amount due them, and also that half of
this would be given when they disbanded
and the remainder a week later If there
for disbanding was fixed but the soldiers
failed to come. They sent word that they
wanted the sixty days pay in lump, and
that as soon they gave up their arms.
With this the president was inclined to COM
ply but our minister objected, saying it
would give no assurance of peace
Uncle Sans Big Stick.
A little later the soldiers came to the
palace of the president and demanded their
pay. The president asked Mr.. Barrett to
20 out ard address them. He did so. The
scene was a sensational one. In company
with General Guardia, he went down and
faced the army, and the mob behind it.