Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-03
ALFARO is NAMED
PANAMA PRESIDENT
Minister to U. S. Accepts
Post-SIight Hope Held for
Wounded American.
Nv the Associated press.

BY the Associated Press.
PANAMA CITY, January 3.-Panama,
its government overturned in q brief
revolution which brought death to 10
persons, today awaited the return OF
its new President-designate, DR.. Don
Ricardo J. Alfaro, Minister at WASH
ington. Dr. Alfaro cabled from Wash
ington his acceptance Of the post.
Meanwhile a provisional government,
headed by DR.. Harmodio Arias, leader
of the isthmian republics young bloods,
acted to restore order throughout the
country, arresting the leading figures OF
the old regime and seeking in pro-
nunciamentos to allay public fears OF
further violence.
FIorencio Harmodio Arosemena, who
yesterday resigned the presidency he
had held since 1928, was confined 70
his quarters with other government Of
ficials. including Archibaldo Boyd, gov
ernor of the province of Panama. It
was believed that he will be released
shortly unless it is decided to hold him
for trial on charges Of nnalfeasance.
Ten Killed, Is Wounded.
The revolt f1ared at about 2:30 am.
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eminent had been completely over
thrown and the foundation laid for es-
Establishment of a new one. OF the 10
dead 8 were members of the police or
national constabularly and 2 were civil
ians. Fifteen persons were wounded. !.
One of the most seriously wounded
was an American, Hartwen F: ayers,
newspaper man, of Admission, Ala, who
was shot in the neck and abdomen near
the presidential palace, and lay behind
its walls for an hour before being dis
covered and taken to the Gorgas HOS"
pftal. Despite his cheerfulness his ply
sicianS believe he will die.
In the confusion which ATTENDED the
revolt there was an erroneous report
that Ayres had died in the hospital,
despite an emergency operation. Sub
seolently it developed that he had sur
viyed and that there was slim chance
Of his recovery.
In the FIRST stages of the revolt some
surprise was expressed that American
troops quartered in the Canal Zone
were not brought in to maintain order,
but with quickly returning normalcy the
policy of the United States minister,
Row T. Davis, not to call upon tine
troops until absolutely necessary was
seen generally as amply JuSttfled. Mr.
Davis, in shirt sleeves and with open
collar, was in constant touch with the
IL.
that he and fellow members OF the 0lp-
lomatic corps were observing events:
In view of past difficulties involved IN
obtaining recognition Of de facto Central
American governments, the revolutlon-
aries, who principally are members OF
the youthful political reform ofganlza.
ton. Accion Communal, took great care
to preserve constitutional forms in their
designation Of DR.. Alfaro as new pres
iaent
Before resigning DR.. Arosemena, whose
surrender had been coerced at the point
of a riot machine gun, replaced Daniel
Rallen as secretary of government ana
justice by DR.. AriaS. upon ms reslgss
nation the supreme court took charge OF
the situation according 70 law, ana az
pm. swore in DR.. Arias as provisional
THE invitation to DR.. Alfaro was ex-
tended on the ground that the three
vice presidents were illegally elected
and that therefore Alfaro, frst vice
president in the preceding administra-
ton, was the logical successor. Cable"
grams received early today from WASH
ington announced DR.. Alfaro's accept
ance of the call.
Dr. Arias appointed provisional cab
met containing the following names:
Foreign minister, Francisco Artas Pare
des: finance, Enrique Jinenez; public
A1s
secretary OF state, Or. J. J. Vallarino;
secretary-general Of the presidents OIL
ice, Victor F. Goytia.
Statement to Newspaper Men.
shortly after being sworn IN Dr..
Arias called upon Minister Davis to In
form him of the development and in a
statement to American newspaper men
said: at am sorry that this has hap
pened, but 1t was forced upon the people
and upon me. don't want the job and
assure you that won't have 1t long,
but the people have faith in me and !
will carry out their wish"
The greatest opposition to the new
regime developed In Colon, at the oppo-
site side of the isthmus, where the Gov
ernor Inocencio Galindo, was arrested
last night with his subordinates They
will be held until they resign and q new
government established. Galindo yes
terday attempted to move 500 police to
Panama to aid in suppression Of the
revolt, but the isthmian railroad refused
to carry the men. The Colon citizenry
was described as excited, but with no
trouble in prospect.
A considerable number Of former gov
eminent ofiicials have been arrested and
are being held temporarily. Others
have taken refuge in various legations,
particularly the Ecuadorean legation.
WzlEIE 1OIkuCI EACoAdCLS SAAAAA 0AAa b-AC
first vice president, Tomas Gabriel
Duuue, are lodged. These legations are
under heavy guard by the red-shirted
firemen, who are functioning as police.
It was well after midnight yesterday
when the revolt which overthrew the
Arosemena government got under way.
Badly equipped but determined insur-
rectionists forced their way into the
National Palace and after obtaining en-
franeA m the Presidents rrivatA 0tiar-
tiers, captured him, later obtaining his
resignation.
The capital was quiet today Stores
were open and transportation facilities
restored to normal service. Members
Of the revolutionary party stu patrolled
the city, wearing purple arm bands and
assisting the hremen in policing the
streets.
Most Of the banks were open, but II
was not known when the National Bank
would resume business.