for R. M. S. P. Company's steamer Orinoco for Cartagena. Independent party in possession of Colon, Panama, and railroad line. Nashville withdrawn force. [Translation.] DELANO. SECNAV, Washington: PANAMA, November 7, 1903-7.40 p. m. All quiet; traffic undisturbed; message to prevent received. The British consul and the minister of war of the provisional government fear seizure of two British steamers at Buenaventura to transport troops convoyed by gunboat. Prevailed upon minister to dispatch gunboat, fearing possible destruction British steamers. The landing of troops in the territory within the limit under my control will cause prolonged campaign. Instructions from the Department are requested. DIEHL. SECNAV: PANAMA, November 10, 1903. Your telegram of the 9th of November to the Boston acknowledged. No interference British vessels yet. Report seems to be well founded that the steamship Bogota sailed from Buenaventura yesterday afternoon with 1,000 for Rio Dulce. Have sent Concord to patrol in that vicinity in order to prevent landing. Everything is quiet at Panama. GLASS. No. 12. PRESIDENT'S SECOND MESSAGE GIVING CORRESPONDENCE ON REVOLUTION ON THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. [House Document No. 8, part 2, Fifty-eighth Congress, first session.] REVOLUTION ON THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANSMITTING ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE RECENT REVOLUTION ON THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. [November 27, 1903: Read; referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed.] To the House of Representatives: In response to a resolution of the House of Representatives of November 9, 1903, requesting the President "to communicate to the House, if not, in his judgment, incompatible with the interests of the public service, all correspondence and other official documents relating to the recent revolution on the Isthmus of Panama," I transmit herewith copies of additional papers on the subject which have been received subsequent to the resolution referred to. WHITE HOUSE, Washington, November 27, 1903. The PRESIDENT: THEODORE ROOSEVELT. The Secretary of State, to whom was referred a copy of the resolution of the House of Representatives of November 9, 1903, requesting copies of all correspondence and other official documents relating to the recent revolution on the Isthmus of Panama, has the honor to lay before the President copies of additional correspondence on the subject received subsequent to the resolution referred to. Respectfully submitted. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 24, 1903. JOHN HAY. CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, No. 464.] Hon. FRANCIS B. LOOMIS, Assistant Secretary of State, Washingtors, D. C. SIR: I have the honor to say that on the 5th instant I received from the Committee of the Provisional Government a circular letter (No. 1), dated November 4, 1903, informing me that Panama had dissolved its political relations with the Republic of Colombia and requesting me to acknowledge receipt of circular. Inclosed please find translation of circular letter, marked "A." I immediately cabled the department the contents of said circular letter, and upon receipt of the department's cable instructing me to acknowledge receipt of circular and await instructions, I wrote acknowledging same. Please find copy of my letter, marked "B." On receipt of the two telegrams from the department in regard to entering into relations with the local authorities here, being satisfied that there was a de facto government established, and as there was no opposition to same in the State of Panama, I wrote on the morning of the 7th to the committee, informing them that they would be held responsible for the protection of the persons and property of American citizens, as well as responsible for carrying out treaty obligations, in accordance with treaties in regard to isthmian territory. Inclosed please find copy of my letter, marked "C." On the afternoon of the 8th instant I received a letter from the minister of foreign relations, saying that the Republic of Panama would protect American citizens and their property, as well as to carry out all treaty obligations in regard to isthmian territory. Inclosed find translation of letter, marked "D." I am, sir, your obedient servant, FELIX EHRMAN, United States Vice Consul General. CIRCULAR A. [Translation.] REPUBLIC OF PANAMA, PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT, Panama, November 4, 1993. SIR: We have the honor of informing you, for your knowledge and that of the Government which you represent, that in this date a political movement has taken place by which the former department of Panama is separated from the Republic of Colombia, in order to constitute a new state under the name of "Republic of Panama,” and that those who subscribe themselves have received the honor of being designated to form the Committee of the Provisional Government of the Republic. We beg you to kindly acknowledge receipt and accept the sentiments of consideration, which it is pleasing to subscribe ourselves. Your attentive servants, J. A. ARANGO.. The CONSUL GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, Pte. B. PANAMA, November 5, 1903. Messrs. J. A. ARANGO, TOMAS ARIAS, and FEDERICO BOYD, Committee of the Provisional Government, Panama. SIRS: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your circular letter No. 1, dated November 4, 1903. I am, sirs, very respectfully, yours, 42112-S. Doc. 474, 63-2 -24 FELIX EHRMAN, United States Vice Consul General. C. PANAMA, November 7, 1903. Messrs. J. A. ARANGO, TOMAS ARIAS, and FEDERICO BOYD, Committee of the Provisional Government, present. GENTS: As it appears that the people of Panama have, by unanimous movement, dissolved their political connection with the Republic of Colombia and resumed their independence, and as there is no opposition to the Provisioal Government in the State of Panama, I have to inform you that the Provisional Government will be held responsible for the protection of the persons and property of citizens of the United States, as well as to keep the Isthmian transit free, in accordance with obligations of existing treaties relative to the Isthmian territory. I have the honor to remain, gentlemen, very respectfully, SIR: The Committee of the Provisional Government, informed of your communication of yesterday, has requested me to inform you that the Republic of Panama shelters the most sincere determination of protecting, as it has so far protected, the lives and properties of the United States citizens, determination that involves for the Republic a sacred and pleasant duty, and that in regard to the obligations existing on account of treaties in connection with the Isthmian territories heretofore with the Republic of Colombia are now with the Republic of Panama that has substituted the former in them and their rights. With the sentiments of the highest consideration, I beg to remain, Very attentive servant, F. V. DE LA ESPRIELLA. The VICE CONSUL GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, No. 463.] CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, Hon. FRANCIS B. LOOMIS, Assistant Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 3d of November, at about 6 p. m., there occurred an uprising in the city of Panama. It seems that everything had been prearranged with the officials of the army and navy, as there was practically accord among all the officers. General Tovar, General Castro, and Commander Tovar of the gunboat Bogota, finding out about the movement just a short while before it occurred, rushed to the barracks in the hope of frustrating the plans, but on their arrival General Huertas, second in command of the troops stationed at Panama, and chief of the "Colombia Battalion," ordered the soldiers out and arrested the above-mentioned generals, together with Governor Obaldia. The movement was to occur at 8 o'clock, but as the people had assembled and everything in readiness they moved at 6 o'clock. At 8 o'clock a boat was sent off from the gunboat Bogota, saying that unless Generals Tovar and Castro were set at liberty immediately they would bombard the town. This note was not answered by the people on shore. At about 10 o'clock on the night of the 3d the Bogota fired several shells, which were answered by the fort. These shots struck in different parts of the city, and one Chinaman was killed. After firing, the Bogota hoisted her anchor and steamed away. She was supposed to be behind some islands which are directly in front of Panama. On the morning of the 4th I received information direct from one of the chiefs of the movement, and he said that the Bogota had threatened to again bombard the city, and on this I immediately sent word by telegraph to the commander of the Nashville and cabled the Department. The consular corps met in this consulate general and decided to send a protest to the commander of the Bogota, protesting against the action of the commander. Inclosed please find copy of protest, marked "A." This letter was not sent, as the Bogota was not in sight and no boats were available at the time. The gunboat Twenty-first of November (Padilla) was lying off Panama all this time, but did not try to intercept or pursue the Bogota. On the morning of the 4th the Twenty-first of November came in and anchored near the fort, and in the afternoon of the same day hauled down the Colombian flag and hoisted the flag of Panama. In the afternoon of the 4th, at 3 p. m., there was a general mass meeting held in the central plaza, and the declaration of independence was read and signed. The following is a list of the Government officials, as given me by the Committee of the Provisional Government: Committee of provisional government, J. A. Arango, Tomas Arias, and Federico Boyd: minister of government, Eusebio A. Morales; minister of foreign relations, F. V. de la Espriella; minister of war and marine, Nicanor A. de Obarrio; minister of justice, Carlos A. Mendoza; minister of finance, Manuel E. Amador; minister of public instruction, Julio J. Fabrega; chief of the division of Panama, Gen. Domingo Diaz; general in chief of the army of the Republic, Gen. Esteban Huertas; commander of civil battalion, Gen. Manuel Quintero; general treasurer of the Republic, Señor Albino Arosemena; commander of the gunboat Twenty-first of November, Gen. H. O. Jeffries. I may say that the above mentioned are all men of high standing in Panama and men who have had wide experience in public affairs. During the recent troubles I am pleased to state that everything was carried on in an orderly manner, and I have not heard of a case where foreigners were threatened or molested in any way. Inclosed I send you clipping from the Star and Herald of this city containing a translation of the declaration of independence and manifesto by the committee of the provisional government, marked B." We have heard several stories of the happenings in Colon, but I will leave that to be reported on from Colon, as we have received nothing definite. The declaration of independence was read and signed at Colon at 1.30 p. m. on the afternoon of the 5th instant. Telegrams have been received from different parts of the department of Panama, and all say that independence has been unanimously declared. I am, sir, your obedient servant, FELIX EHRMAN, United States Vice Consul General. |