Evening star., 1905-11-04

but as am not permitted to mention their
names they must be taken for what they
are worn.
President Amador Visits Washington.
The first story Is as to how Dr. Amador
now president of the Panama republic re-
ceived the assurance that Uncle Sam would
come to the aid of Panama If she declared
her independence. The incident occurred
shortly after Colombia had refused to ratify
the sale of the canal by the French
to the United States for 100000
Panama feared that this refusal would
cause our Congress to adopt Nicaragua
the place for its trans-isthmian waterway.
Its leading officials saw the necessity for
quick action. They decided to break away
from Colombia If they could get the sup
port of the United States and DR.. Amador
was chosen to go to Washington and sound
the authorities. He came and called upon
the Secretary of War, but could get no
satisfaction. Secretary Taft manifested an
interest in his proposition. but he was nom
committal. He said:
There Is vet no breach of friendship
between the United States and Colombia
and we can do nothing now" This was so
decisive that DR.. Amador looked upon all
as lost and started back to Panama. On
his way home, however, he called upon MT.
LIindo of Plea Nephews & Co. In New
York and he was there advised to wait
over steamer to confer with Mr.. Bunau-
Varilla of the French canal company as to
the situation. He did so and at the con-
ference Mr. Varilla, so the story goes, told
him that II he would agree that the new
republic would make him. Varilla, It's hrst
minister to the United States, he would see
that the deal went through. TO thls Dr;
Amador agreed, and Bunau-Variila started
for Washington. 1t is alegeo ne nao d
nrIvate talk there with President Roose-
veIt and that our President, while not max
ing any positive promises. gave such indi-
cations that Bunau-Varilla concluded tne
ia I<lr, Do ls1rQ W
tJn,a for action came. At least he satis1ed
Dr Amador to that effect, ana the latter
returned to the isthmus snort t.liie
later the news came that the CoIonapian an
government had appointed new onclais Ior
t.e panama state This meant that II any
thing was to be done II must pc zone quick-
ly co the reyolutionists had another meet
ing and at that independence was nhaily
decided upon.
Clumsy Cabling.
Tn the meantime cables were flying pach
,,d forth between Washington ana ram
anna The situation was serious, ahd' aS
the story goes, the Panama revoIutlonisls
communicated directly with the ofhciais at
washington. One cable translated from
the code read:
..Where are American battleships?"
The reply came back in another CODE
,,ord which meant, "Will be in Panama
within four days" This cable was sent
through Runau-Varila, and sure enough
four days later the first vessel arrived Inc
day following its arrival the Panama IN
dependence was declared.
P',t This was not the only cable that came
that day. 1t seems that the authorities at
Washington were getting ANXIOUS. Iney ca
hled the vice consul general of the United
states who was acting in the absence Oh
his chief the query: How are anairs IN
panama?'' expecting, of course, that he
would send back reply which would give
tho information, but that In such way
thS none but our officials could understand
e. The vice consul general however, evl-
IDENTIFY lost his head, for he cabled back
these words: will be at six o'clock: He
was only an hour out of the way, for In
Senenienee was formally declared at Z
o'clock that night
A Marrow Escape.
In the meantime the Colombian govern
ment had received an inkling of the pro-
posed revolution. This came, so 1t Is be-
lieyed. through the bishop of Panama, VINO
made a Journey to Cartagena about that
time 1t was at once decided to nip the
plot in the bud by appointing new officiais.
TROOPS were ordered to Panama, ana the
officers sent with them had instructions 10
execute Messrs Amador. Obaldla, Iomas
Arias Federico Boyd, Augustin arrange ana
others This was duly reported at Colon IN
ADVANCE of the arrival of troops, so that
these men knew that IL Panama did not pc
come independent they would lose tneir
heads. They had already organized Inca.
army with Gen Huertas at Its head ana
were ready to act at the time the troops
came The Colombian soldiers numbered
45O men three generals and six colonies.
but 1t was only the officers who came 70
Panama on the first train, leaving the SOL
diers to follow.
The officers arrived at 10 o'clock. They
were met by the state officials and treated
with honor. No mention of revolution was
made and Colombians and Panamans dined
together at the presidents palace. After
dinner the Colombian generals made a de-
mand that the Panaman army be turned
over to them, and they showed their au-
thorfty from the government at Bogota-
The Panaman officials pretended to comply
and all went to the fort where Gen. Huer-
tas was In command The general ordered
the troops out and the Colombian officials
were ready to take charge. They were
about to do 20 when Huertas raised his
hand and the soldiers surrounded the Co
fombians. They were told they were under
arrest and were marched on TO prism This