Evening star., 1955-01-03
Ex-President Of Panama Seized
With 20 Others After Assassins
Slay Chief Executive at Races
Arius Arrested;
2 Die With Remon
And 3 Are Shot
By Tho A.soeict.d Pres.

@ANN3AAtAAAt
assassins moved down President
Jose Antonio Remon with ma
chinegun bullets last night. Po-
lice launched an immediate
search for the killers and said
they had arrested more than 20
persons, including former Presi-
dent Arnulfo Arias.
There was no immediate ex-
PLANTATION for the Staying of the
popular 46-year-old president,
who had been the republics
strong man for 10 turbulent
years. He was shot as he chatted
with q group of friends early last
night at Juan Franco race track.
after the conclusion of the af-
ternoon races.
Two other persons died in the
gun battle between the presi-
dents bodyguard and his assas-
sins. Three of Mr.. Remon,s COM
panions were wounded.
Police said they seized Arias,
who was thrown out Of Office in
1851 by Remon's police forces
after a bloody palace battle, at
Boquete. 800 miles west Of the
capital, Arias has q large cof-
fee plantation near there. Re-
ports earlier in New York that
he was travelling in Europe ap-
parently were without founda-
ton.
Vice President Takes over.
In q 8 am. session, the Ma
tional Assembly swore in For
eign Minister Jose Ramon Gui-
zado as president. He was elected
first vice president on the ticket
with Mr.. Rernon in 1852. Their
terms had until October. 1856,
TO run.
The Assembly had planned to
declare a 30-day state of siege
but was unable to do SO because
1t lacked the necessary quorum.
However, the cabinet in state
ment announced to the shocked |
Panamanians that calm pre-
vailed In the country and the
government Is maintaining rig
orous order throughout all the
national territory"
The cabinet statement gave no
clue. however, to the identity Of
the Presidents killers or the mo-
tivation for the plot.
Panamanian officials pointed
out that-whether inspired by
political reasons or personal
grudge--the killers could not
have hoped to gain control Of
the government by staying Mr..
Remon.
Two Women Arrested.
Secret Police Chief Jorge Luis
Alfaro said those arrested, In
addition to Arias, included two
women. One, he. said, had left
Mr.. Rernon's box just before the
shooting and the other woman
was nearby when the firing be-
gan.
Col. Saturnino Flores, COM
nlander Of the National Guard,
said this morning authorities
still lacked a definite clue to the
identity Of the slayers or their
motive. But he Indicated strong
" that suspicion fell on the fol-
lowers Of Arias.
Some Of Arias' supporters re-
Gently threatened major devel-
opments, Col. Flores said. and
the ex-President himself had
been quoted in a press statement
to the effect that he would |
speak in January"
The women among the pris- |
oners were officially identified as
Thelma King and Olga Yanis, |
the former once q follower Of |
Arias who had recently been |
siding with Remon.
Body Moved to Cathedral.
Mr.. Remon's body was moved 1
to the State Cathedral Church, /
where hundreds filed past to pay
homage. /
News Of the tragic death of
Mr.. Remon-rated by many
Western leaders as the ablest
President Panama has had in /
its 50 years as q republic
brought expressions of grief from
shocked leaders in the United I
States and Panama's neighbors.
President Eisenhower said he
was 'grieved" and extended his
personal sympathies as well as
the condolences Of the American
fC~n n AAYANRA ra.-. ~