The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-14
CRUISER DENVER
LANDS MARINES
American Sailors Camp in
Shadow of Cuban Palace
REQUEST OF PRESIDENT
Special Session of Congress VIII Meet
Today-Newspapers Comment
Favorably on Appearance
of American Ships.

of American Ships.
Havana, September S-One hundred and
twenty sailors from the United States
protected cruiser Denver camped tonight
in frotn of old La Fuersa castle. facing
the plaza de Armas. the little park in
front of the presidential palace, which is
the seat of the Cuban government. The
American flag was planted just inside of
the low stone coping separating the castle
grounds from o'Reilly street, which
thoroughfare passes between the camp
and the plaza de Armas. The American
sailors were armed with regulation rifles.
with the exception of a few. who carried
revolvers or earhines Two field howitzers
and two rapid fire guns sent ashore with
the sailors and pointed across the pretty
little park, a significant warning to any
one approaching the headquarters of tho
Cuban government with hostile intent.
The Denver which originally anchored
further up the bay, dropped down this
afternoon to a position abreast of the
foot of O'Reilly street, and in front of
the OllttS VI Inc captain VI llC pun, 81
as to be conveniently near the detachment
sent ashore and close at hand In case of
need
The whole business was done so quietly
and quickly that it caused the greatest
surprise. The reason for the sudden
landing Of the American sailors was Il
conference between President Palma,
Charge d'Affaires Sleeper and Command
er Colwell this afternoon. On the occa-
sion of the latter's formal call upon Pres
ident Palma, Mr.. Sleeper asked the Pres
ident the direct question whether he con-
sidered the government was able to pro-
tect all American interests in Havana I'M
aided.
PaIma's Suggestion.
The President replied that he has said
that the government will be able to do
so, but himself suggested that 1t might
be advisable as a measure of preeaution
in the interests of Americans as well as
for the maintenance of order in general
to land marines at some convenient joint,
suggesting the Plaza de Armas.
Mr.. Sleeper and Commander Colwell.
after brief conference. decided that the
landing should be made this afternoon,
and at $50 the detachment, under COM
mand of Executive Officer Miller, began
coming ashore with arms, ammunition
anu camp paTHpleTndliA ana LOOK up a
position commanding the approach to the
palace. Two hours later the commits
sary outfit followed, with supper for the
officers and men.
After reading an Associate Press dis
patch from Washington, in which Secre-
tary of the Navy Bonaparte was quoted
as saying that there would be no landing
of United States troops in Cuba, except
in the case of extreme and unrestralned
rioting. Commander Colwell said to the
Associated Press:
81 have landed force after consultation
with those best advised as to the situa-
ton, and especially on the request of
President Palma himself. who Informed
! Mr.. Sleeper and myself that he gravely
doubted the ability of the Cuban govern
ment to protect American property and
\ persons. President Palma did not suggest
this location for our force; I selected 1t
| because In my judgment 1t Is the best
strategetical point and commands the two
| principal business streets of Havana. |
am not considering Intervention or the
protection of the palace or the president,
/ but simply being in readiness, and In the
best position to protect American busl-
ness and other interests. l have tele-
graphed these facts to Secretary Bona
| parte, and also the fact that / have of
| fered asylum on board the Denver for any
Americans who may desire to seek such
safety"
General Impression.
The general impression here seems to b.
, that 1t is the intention of the United
States not only to protect American in
| terests but also the government of presi-
dent Palma. The presence in the city OF
American sailors has had the effect OF
creating a feeling of comparative securi-
| ty against attack from without, or of an
| internal uprising Reports current here
| today were that the worst elements were
planning to set fire to buildings under the
cover of which robberies might be COM
mftted 1t was also reported that in
surgents in considerable numbers were
approaching Havana from several direc-
tons
| There has been no news received here
today from the western portion of Pinar
! del Rio province on account of the in
terruption of telegraphic communication
The province of Matanzas is reported To
be stll free from insurgents. Santa Clara,
the most disturbed Of the provinces. re-
ports some accessions to the nsurgent
| cause. but there has been no fighting.
Puerto Principe reports that many small
parties have gone out to join the insur-
| gents
In Santiago province there is consider
able anti-government feeling, but there
are few actually in insurrection. Several
|
pied by insurgents but the city has not
yet been molested
Trains Are Operated.
Although there had been some question
| of its departure, the through train for
| Santiago left tonight as usual.
The United Cuban railroads have not
been seriously interfered with.
The special session of congress Will con-
vene tomorrow The moderate caucus to-
day decided to back President Palma $
course In all respects.
One of the great curses that is slow
~ but surely cropping out as a result of
the Instruction, is that of race, the mod
crates in general condemning insurgents
as a mob of negroes, led by white men
of lower character than the negroes them
selves.
The newspapers this evening comment
ed favoraby on the appearance of the
Warships in Cuban waters.
Commander Colwel suggested tonight
that II the quiet continued, the soilors
| from the Denver might return on board
ship. President Palma, however. urgently
| requested that they remain where they
are. The President expressed satisfaction
with the influence of the presence of the
blue jackets was producing, and said he
considered 1t guarantee against an at
| tack on or uprising in Havana. The
! sight of American sailors encamped near
| the palace aroused great curiosity among
| the people of Havana, most of whom
! az n of nj