Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-03-25
COVE INTENT OF CUBA
Date For Withdrawal of Our Troops
Not Yet Fixed.
CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON
Governor Wood Has Talk With
President and Secretary Root ON
Future of Island Havana to
Celebrate Palma's Return.

Washington, March 24.-The visit Of
General Leonard Wood, military gov
ernor Of Cuba, to Washington has re-
suited thus far In no definite under
standing as to when the United States
troops will be withdrawn from the Is
land or when the Cubans will be pre-
pared to get along without the active
aid of this country, represented by the
United States military establishment
on the island.
General Wood had long conferences
with President Roosevelt and secre-
tary Root, but no decision as to the
date Of the withdrawal Of the Ameri-
can troops was reached.
1t is explained that in the very ma
ture Of the case it 10 impractcable to
pass final judgment at this time on this
important point. The reasons are obyi.
GUS. In the first place, 1t is not yet
known with certainty when the Gu.
bans will have all independent, sover-
eign and responsible government. The
date generally set for this interesting
Transformation is May !, but neither in
Havana nor Washington can positive
assurance be given that the Cuban re-
public will be an accomplished fact in
the full meaning Of that term.
While it Is now generally understood
that Estrada Palma will be inaugural
ed as president on the date named, still
there can be no guarantee that stimuli
taneously with his induction into Office
the responsible authorities in the is
land, to say nothing Of the congress of
the United States, will be prepared to
ask for the evacuation Of Cuba by the
troops of this country.
This statement Is based on the
knowledge of the mutual obligations
imposed by the Plat amendment.
which not only is part of the organic
law of Cuba, but which also is the
only authority to President Roosevelt
to withdraw the troops. In point Of
fact, it is believed that one Of the first
acts Of the new government at Havana
will be formally to communicate to
President Roosevelt the desire that the
United States troops now in Cuba be
continued there until the regularly con-
stituted authorities of the island may
signify desire for their withdrawal
President Elect Palma's Return.
A report published in the local news
papers to the effect that President
Elect Palma was about to start for Gu
ba caused sensation in Havana, as he
was not expected for several weeks.
He will be given a rousing reception.
Many ofi1ceseekers are awaiting his
arrival, hoping to present their claims
before the slate is. entirely filled. All
American clerks expect to be super
seeded by Cubans Immediately upon the
transfer Of the government.
The number Of departments, however
will necessitate considerable time be
ing spent in the transfer on account OF
the absolute change Of the system
Every American clerk on the island
except in the quartermaster's and post
al departments, has applied for trans
fer to the civil service In the United
States, alleging that 1t was a dangerous
risk that they had taken in accepting
service in Cuba during the period OF
yellow fever ravages. They declare
| that this fact is sufficient reason why
they should be taken care Of by the
United States government.
Rear Admiral Bradford has begun tt
examine the probable sites for coalinf
stations. He has visited the arsena
in Havana, formerly the Spanish nava
station, which, 1t is believed, will BIZ
| retained for officers of artillery.