The Oskaloosa herald., 1908-06-04
MARINES TO GUARD ]
POLLS IN PANAMA
UNITED STATES WILL INSIST ON
AN HONEST ELECTION.
GREAT TROUBLE THREATENED
Presidential Campaign Between obaI-
dia and Arias Is Developing ReVo-
lutionsry Tendencies-Ama-
dor Assists.

presidential campaign, which is to cul
inmate In an election the first week In
July, has recently developed "revolu
tionary tendencies" to such an extent
as to cause grave concern and the
serious intention to employ severe
measures on the part OF the American
government to insure a fair and hon
est election, probably the first such In
the history Of Central American poll
tics. -'=. s.E
The 500 American marines stationed
on the isthmus will be detailed on the
two election days to the 100 polling
places. AS some Of the precincts will
need no armed supervision, and others
may need more than a handful of
troops, the marines will be distributed
where they will do the most good in
the way of preserving order.
Uncle Sans Duty by Treaty.
Both by treaty and by special agree
ment, the Panama government has
opened the way and made 1t the duty
of the United States to insure a fair
and honest election, and until the
more recent development 1t was be-
lieved this could be accomplished by
the presence of civilian American
commissioners" at the polling places
The plan to detail the marines has not
been formally announced, but is said
to be inevitable by those familiar with
the situation. s-.r.
The contest is between Vice-Presi-
dent Obaldia and Secretary of State
Arias. At the time obaldia was elect
ed vice-president and Amador presi-
dent the latter favored the presiden-
tial aspirations of Obaldia, who had
previously been minister to the United
States. The only function of a vice.
president in Panama is to act as presi-
dent during the absence OF the chief
executive, and shortly after his last
election Amador took. a six months
trip to Europe and Obaldia went to
the head of the government.
obaIdla stirred Up a Row.
These officials had been elected by
the conservative or constitutional
party, but the first act OF Obaldia as
president was to appoint Senor Dias,
brother Of the leader of the liberal or
defeated party, governor OF the prov
ince of Panama. He then compelled
Ossia, the deposed governor and bro
ther of the wife of President Amador,
to turn over to the government
large revenue he is alleged to have
been turning into other channels.
He next compelled his present po.
litical opponent, Arias, to put up $40,-
900, as required by the concession,
just expired. through which Arias had
controlled the market of Panama. In.
cidentally. It is explained here that
Arias, who is one of the keenest busi-
ness men on the isthmus, has control
Of the electric light concession, of the
Ice and meat business and other pay.
ing monopolies.
These evidences of reform In poll
tics won to Obaldia the support of the
liberal or progressive party, common
ty known as the party Of the negro and
Indian, but it alienated the president
and the yice-president, and upon the
return of Amador this alienation be.
came decidedly apparent. But In the
meantime Obaldia had been indorsed
also by the conservative or constitu-
tional party for president.
Amsdor Helping Arias.
Arias entered the race as a conser-
vative, and from his entry the ma
chinery of the government has been
operating busily in his behalf. The
last move was the dismissal of three
governors Of provinces, all of them
known to be friends OF Obaldia. To
still further hamper the chances of
Obaldia, the administration has, since
the departure of Secretary Taft from
the isthmus, reduced the number of
presidential electors from the province
Of Colon, where Obaldia is conceded to
have many friends, and increased the
number in several provinces known to
be favorable to the election of Arias
The call for a personal report from
Minister Squires is the result, 1t is ex-
planned, Of these new developments
At the same time, Mr.. Squires may be
asked to explain certain newspaper
comment to the effect that he has al
lowed himself to become enthusiastic
In favor OF one of the candidates.
Minister Souires sailed for the IJnited