The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-12-01
NAT|ONAl.
CAPITAL
Discouraging News of
the Situation in
Cuba.
tMan Special to The Advertiser.)

(Mail Special to The Advertiser)
WASHINGTON, D. c., November
1s.-Secretary of War Taft is back
again in his giant chair. His pre-
| election wanderings and subsequent
inspection of army posts in the Far
his supply of cheer. He beamed upon
| the little army of officials, and settled
| down to an attack upon the papers
| that had been mounting high in his
absence. There was forthwith new life
in the administration of the Panama
| Canal, of Cuba, and the Philippines,
as far as washington supervision is
concerned.
Army officers approached the Secre-
tary with wry faces as to Cuba. They
| had been absorbing rumors that things
in Cuba were going to the bow-wows
; Some of them had nearly arranged it.
in their own minds, that the Liberals,
disappointed at not securing offices,
We're taking to the woods and must
be appeased by an earlier date for the
elections.
All that did not disturb the Secre
'tary Some of Gov. Magoon's dis
patches have been forwarded to me
While 1 have been away, he observed.
''They indicated that everything is go
ing along at Havana about as usual"
Many kinds of discouraging reports
can be had out of Cuba, if one goes
where the tickle populace is talking
and plotting. But some of the most
alarming plots that are talked today
in Cuba are forgotten by their origin
ators tomorrow. The Secretary knows
that conditions are very ldiscouraging.
He told the President so. Neither of
them are confident that the efforts to
Set up a new and stable government
will succeed. OF late, property owners,
who wanted soldiers detailed to guard
their holdings, have been disappointed
because no soldiers are available for
that duty. They have made "hol-
ler" and it has been heard all the way
to washington. There has been no
particular reason for their outcry, ex-
cept a desire for greater security
which the presence of Uncle Sans
soldiers would give. Property is in no
special jeopardy down there at pres
ent.
1t is suspected, however, that the
gloomy reports are part of the an
nexation campaign, of which more Will
be heard as the session of Congress
comes on. There will be organized ef-
forts to discredit the movement for
new Independent government. Millions
of dollars of United States investments
in Cuba are ready on occasion to
Shrek in one tremendous chorus for
immediate annexation. That financial
voice will be powerful. 1t will speak
in numerous devious ways at first, as
the opportunity offers, because the
popular sentiment just now is averse
to annexation.
TRAVELLER TAFT.
The Secretary is having many and
varied experiences as a cabinet officer.
He is the great traveller of the Pres
ident's official family. He may not
have Travelled more miles as cabinet
officer than Secretary Shaw has travel
ed The latter has been out on the
circuit a great deal of the time. But
Secretary Taft has travelled more
widely No man now connected with
the administration in a leading official
position has seen more of this country
and it's possessions. He has Travelled
all over the Philippines and year ago
last summer made his long remember |
ed return trip with a distinguished
party. He has been to Panama and, |
during the past autumn, has resided
officially in Havana. Now he has con- !
cIuded a great swing around the circle, |
going into the far northwest and down /
into the great southwest.
The Secretary is a good traveller. /
Others of his station would prefer
more ease. He takes to the road with
out protest. He travels thousands of i
miles on short notice and, between /
times, works on industriously. If pre- I
vious contact with all sorts and condi- |
tions of men and the holding of /
number of different offices in very diff !
ferent parts of the globe where the
stars and stripes float can qualify one
for the Presidency, as such service !
ought, Secretary Taft has some ad- |
vantage over his rivals for 1902.
PRESIDENTIAL PLANNING.
The training for presidential honors |
in the next campaign has thus far been
inside the paddock. 1t will be soon on |
the open course. There is yet no de- |
cIared candidate. The aspirants have /
been lying low no fldIleuNef couiu I
bring direct Acknowledgement. Now
things will quickly change for the
4elegate-getting season will come anon.
There has been a lot of quiet wrestling I
for delegates already, but it has been
in understandings with state leaders
and in making favorable impressions
upon v,tters. Little things the known
asnirants have done from time TO time |
t7oir
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