New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-06
Fled from Canal
To Visit Alleged
Base of U-Boats
German Agent Eluded the
Zone officials After u. S.
Broke Relations
Mystery in His Errand
promoter" Said Hollweg
Was Interested in Jungle
Country

DR.. Armodo Arias, an attorney OF
Panama City. who arrived yesterday on
the United Fruit liner Tenadores,
brought an account of German who
slipped away from the Canal Zone on
the day that diplomatic relations with
Germany were sundered ito develop
property along the Darien coast" The
Gull Of Daricn bends the elbow whose
joint is the boundary line between
Panama and Colombia and has been
under suspicion as a supply base for
U-boats and raiders.
Its shores are brush grown deserts,
broken by jungles. swamps and river
deltas: its eXpanse Is broad and COM
paratyely little travelled. 1t is not
section that has been much sought by
promoters.
Yet the German. a we'll known figure
along the Colombian coast, DR.. Arias
said. had given his development
scheme a the reason for his presence
on the isthmus. lie talked frequently,
but vaguely, OF his plans He was
at the Tivol, and his leisure was Inn
itlcss. His casual neighbors gathered
that tho apparent inertia of his plan
was due TO its yastness.
Promoter Quickly Nanishes
Before the action of President VIII
son was generally known on the 18TH
mus. the promoter vanished. To some
one who caught feetinG glimpse OF
him he threw over his shoulder the
explanation that he was of, his plan
was approaching fruition and he must
be on the Darien coast as soon as
steamer could make the trip.
He was gone before the swift action
taken by Zone officials, which lmme-
Gia,ely segregated interned crews and
threw on. of employment every Ger
man in the district. could reach HIM.
No oficious Yankee had an opportunity
10 question him. He was off 10 Darlen
II was the promoters boast, Dr.
Arias said. that Won Bethmann- Holl-
VEG was the largest stakeholder in ms
company and was supplying funds for
the development Of the property.
John Highman, another passenger
who was IN charge OF tourist cruise
told of the military regulations IN the
Canal Zone. 40 one is allowed to lana
on the locks except with special peTmis
sion of the military commander, ami
then the area allowed TO be viewed Is
closely circumscribed. Mr.. Hlghman
said that there were three large Ameri-
can warships At the entrance TO the
canal. which scrutlnized closely every
incoming or outgoing vessel. The forts
and wireless stations were completely
barred 10 visitors.
Santiago in Confusion
At Santiago, in Cuba. everything was
topsy -turvy. according to Mr.. Highman.
Troops commanded by General Rigo-
berto Fernandez, the rebel leader, oc-
cupicd the city. and searched all tray
oilers for concealed weapons before al
lowing them to land. They were very
courteous, but firm.
Mr. Highman said that in order TO
obtain permission TO tour the environ.
of Santiago special permits had TO be
issued. and especial signs placarded the
automobiles. 1t was at first suggested
that the Stars and Stripes be used TO
designate the autos, but General Fer
nandeZ advised against Il, saying tnat
10 might incltc the people.
All the railroads leading east and
west have been cut by the rebels, Mr..
Highman stated. 50 that the automo-
bile or mule offered the only means OF
transportation.
You can hear all kinds Of rumors in
Cuba" said Mr.. Highman, but as for
confirmation u is absolutely impos
sible TO obtain. The natives are told
one thing by the soldiers. which. for the
sake Of saving their own skins. they
pretend 20 believe. How great the revo-
luton Is. OF how far the government
ha, it under control, 10 only matter Of
conjecture"