Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-06-29
j. s. GUARD PANAMA
DESPITE PROTESTS
Both Approaches to Canal Under
Police Protection: President
Urriola Plays Politics.


by Associated Press to Every Evening
Panama, June % Upon orders from
Washington, American troops began po-
hcing Panama and Colon at 2 q clock
Yesterday afternoon.
The action was taken under the treaty
of 1904, authorizing the United States 10
assume this police duty whenever II was
necessary Ia maintain order.
The panaman government has pro-
tested to Washington against the inca
sure
Because the former admnist ration had
refused tn correct conditions IN the two
cities, soldiers IN the canal zone were
forbidden to enter them, and the civilian
employees hovcottcd Colon and Panama
until the mandate of military authorities
WAS carried ont by tho panaman govern
mcnt The new administration, under
President l'rrola. began la clean up the
cities. but, in connect ON with thus work.
announced that the elections fixed for
June 30 md July would bc postponed
for SIX months because Of fear oi serious
disorders
Tho opposition party protested to
Washington against the deferment, claim
ing Il would serve no purpose except 10
favor the candidates supported 10y the
now administration
The american State Department ad
viscd President I'rrlola 20 hold The elcc-
ton, but he rcplicd that fair election
could not hc held now aud suggested that
American commissioners supervise the
making M of poll books and assume
charge of an election 80 hc held late m
Jul or early IN August which, the trcSi-
dent SAID. could hc held III an open and
fair manner Nn disorders have been
reported since II Was announced that tho
decree forhldilng tho elections would hc
enforced hy the police
The opposition party again protested
to Washington and Yesterday morning
the american State Department notified
President rrlula thst, because IT DIS
orders American troops would police
the ntics until further notice W time
hmt lAc,ng sct, there Is ~ ono ~ Panama
who knows how long tho occupation will
continue
pr iro trrlnl, the president yes
torday issued tho following statement
Vt That hour. "a the midst II pro
found tranquility. hn AIMED American
forces entered Panama and Colon with
ont the least rc7Istan on tho part of our
police or authorities. notwithstanding
that the Pauaman government did not
have time ~ inform the city authorities
rs to the manner IN which tho American
troops would exercise their functions rs
p0hrc because the memorandum cover
ing tins feature WAS not handed ~ me
until after ! j. lock in the afternoon
| ID not vtsh t. characterize now as
unustihabc this net " tho government
81 The United States. Irt tho fact should
Inc considered THAR tiny government. with
thc forces III ~. disposal. Is hlo . MAINTAIN
public order ~ the whole nation and,
without Doubt. I'll the cities Of Panama
and Colon True II s TINT there IS con
siderable political excitement because IF
tho approaching elections. but this IS
characteristic Of all dcmocraClcs i rs
also true that although there we're fears
Of disturbances IN some parts ct the re
puhIic. nothing has taken place, nor
could take place. which would give rise
~ douh. that my government Is I'M
potent - put down with n strong hand
The least attempt 1T public disorder
1T is alSJ pertinent that the political
problem which ~tlrS the country could
have been solved satisfactorily by the
United states. whose friendly co-opcra-
ton We snlleifcd
President lrriola has prepared a
manifesto ~ the country, and yesterday
sent the following cahlcgram t. President
Wilson
4 protest against this interference.
winch violates he sovereignty OF Panama
without any Justification naSmuch as
the government Of Panama has sufficient
means 20 MAINTAIN public order IN these
CITIES and decline 70 share with your
cNccIIcncy government the Responsible
tlcs Which az grave IN action implies