Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1925, Volume II

819.00/1156: Telegram

The Minister in Panama (South) to the Secretary of State

Panama, February 27, 1925—10 a.m.
[Received 5:35 p.m.]

24. Great excitement prevails here over the Indian uprising which appears to be general along the north coast from Porvenir to Obaldia. Several villages are reported to have burned and a number of Panaman police officers and private individuals variously estimated at from 10 to 30 are said to have been killed. A force of 200 Panaman police was despatched from Colon last night to endeavor to restore order. The number of Indians in the disturbed territory is estimated at 30,000.

Full text of the Indian declaration of independence citing a long list of grievances against the Panaman Government (see my despatch number 645 February 18)¹⁷ is published in today’s newspapers. One article reads as follows: “The Tule nation petitions the Government of the United States of America to accept a protectorate over the people of its territory and to grant the Tule people such degree of autonomous local government as we may prove capable of properly exercising”. Copies will be forwarded by next pouch.¹⁸

Intense bitterness towards Marsh¹⁹ is manifested in the press and throughout the country.

South

17. Not printed.
18. One of the original copies of the declaration is in the files of the Department of State (file No. 819.00/1176). The declaration is printed in the Panama Star and Herald, Feb. 27, 1925.
19. Richard O. Marsh, an American citizen and explorer.