Evening journal., 1908-06-02
PANAMA IS IN
STATE OF UNREST
Scheme TO Have the United
States Intervene in the
Election
FEELING IS RUNNING HIGH
copyrighted 1905 by The United Press As

Copyrighted 1905 by The United Press AS
sociation.
PANAMA. June 2-Never in history mas
the political situation in this country been
at such fever heat, or has contained such
possibilities OF real danger, as now.
staid, conservative business men-ihe
men OF wealth. property and innuence-are
predicting a revolution, and are demand.
ing the Intervention of the United States
Threats of using dynamite on the canal
works and 10 blow up the big Hotel
Tivon. in the Canal Zone, are freely made.
other deeds of violence are hinted at the
whole object being to compel the United
States to step in and see that the will Of
tho people Is recorded in the presidential
election which takes place in the last
week Of June and the first week Of July.
Guarding Dynamite.
Warned Of these threats. most extraor-
dinary precautions have been taken by
the authorities on the canal works to pre-
vent the stealing of dynamite from their
stores Double guards have been placed
over each storehouse, and every piece OF
dynamite placed In position in the excava-
/ tion works preparatory to an explosion Is
carefully watched.
Feeling is running extraordinarily nigh
ana the thing most devouuy wished by
those having the best interests OF the
republic at heart, is that the United
States shall proceed In Panama as il
did in Cuba, by assuming military con-
trol Of the country.
Though the conservative and liberal par.
ties share in this view. they were the only
political parties here until a few month.
ego when Senor Aras. the Secretary of
State, formed the constitutional part,
With the aid OF his friends and relative,
end those whom he could control through
the operation of the "Aras Trust" whlcl
owns most OF the public utilities of thii
town. Arias announced himself a candl
date for president against Senior Obaidla
former Panaman minister to Washington
Who is the choice of ninety per cent o
the members Of the other two parties.
Then began a political campaign
which for crookedness has never beer
equalled In the states and in which al
the tricks which were common in tn,
days when Colombia's sovereignty ex
'-NIN NfNt Nttto N'NAAA2f HuNt uttu etL
lployed
The retiring president. Amador. side,
himself with Arias Formerly pledge,
to the candidacy Of Obaldia. Amado
deserted him when Obaldia refused {,
promise to continue in Office a number
Of Aniador's friends who were on tn,
pay-roois illegally and drawing salarie.
without warrant in law
Must BE Fair Eiecfion
The United States government ha,
served notice on the government her,
that the election must be a fair an,
orderly one. but with the Amidor- Aria.
combine in fun control Of all the gov.
ernment machinery. the leading peopl,
here are very sceptical If Arias shoulc
be elected they predicted that ther,
will be a revolution which will max
that by which the republic was estab.
lished look small by comparison.
United States Minister Squirps ha,
been called TO Washington TO discus.
the situation lie has been an opcr
supporter of Arias thereby arousini
open resentment-so much so that ;
number of prominent members Of boil
the liberal and conservative partio
joined in a complaint to the Washing
ton authorities. demanding that Squire.
should either be recalled, or that n,
should be admonished TO let Panam
politics alone. There is more thai
suspicion entertained here tina
Squires' home going is in response {,
that protest.