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Show PANAMA'S jftEW PRESIDENT II Domingo Obaldla, who has succeeded Dr. Ama- gr-j. dyor as president of tho republic of Panama, was yrn about 04 years ago In David, a town on tho r7 8thraus, nnd 1b ,bUU a man of acttvo physique ft anJ vigorous intellectual powers. SInco tho ere- ' t;9V "fini at,on ot tno rcPUDllc ltl lfl03 h's career has been ' I'r t n mos' ovcnt'ul ono. Ho served as senator In y""l a1 j the Colombian congress, nnd on September 20, W Xwi J I 1903 toolt ovor tho 'unctlon8 of governor of K Panama. Two months later, when tho uprising IM&S1- X occurred, Senor Obaldla was arrested and held a Prl80ncr ln tho houso of Dr. Amador, who at- JjxZJwK torward became president. On tho senator tak-rfrfkV tak-rfrfkV 1 ymlWrlfm lnB tno oatl1 of allc&lanco to tho now republic JmmfWffiwnM ho was released. His appointment as minister mWIMWMNWHiqllllll to the United States followed. Senator Obaldla led tho conservative party In Panama, but also showed reform tendencies. Whllo mlnUter to tho United States bewaij a follower of President Amador, and was elected vice-president of the republic. It was during Amador's recent absence in Europe that, while acting as president, Obaldla discovered a system of graft which permeated the entire admlnlstrntjon. He at onco Introduced drastic reforms, but they woro all nullified oa Aniador's return to Panama. And slnco nearly a fortnight ago it has required tbo. powerful Influence ot tho United States government to protect him from unfair methods. Scnora Dona Josefa Jovane do Obaldla, wife of tho new president. Is a charming woman, tnd belongs to an old and well known Panama family. Sho speaks French ln tddltlon to her natlvo Spanish, but has not yet acquired English. With her two sons sho accompanied Senor Obaldla to Washington and lived thero until hor husband's return to Panama. |