BRIEF REVOLUTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26034, 24 December 1945, Page 7

BRIEF REVOLUTION

FOUR PERSONS KILLED UPRISING IN PANAMA PANAMA CITY. (Rec. 9.20 p.m.) Dec. 22. At least four were killed in a shortlived revolutionary effort at Colon, where a band of armed men tried to seize the police station. The guard at the presidency opened fire on seeing armed men jump from motor cars, but the shooting ceased when they were identified as reinforcements rushed to strengthen the guard following the police station attack. The dead include one police officer. The Government has issued a statement that the attempt was made by followers of the former President, Armego Arias. Armego Arias has been arrested on a charge of instigating the revolt. He has denied responsibility, but the police are rounding up his followers throughout the nation. Twenty-five have been arrested so far, and police reinforcements have been hurried ‘to Colon, where the situation is officially described as under control. Arias returned from exile two months ago and immediately launched a political campaign, criticising United States policy regarding Panama, and reiterating his Nationalist beliefs. He also made claims to the presidency from which he was ousted in 1941.