New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-10-05
ASKED INTERVENTION.
PALMA WANTED IT SEPT. 8
Correspondence Regarding Cuban
Trouble Made Public.


tho Intervention In Cuba The correspondence
took place between Consul General steinhardt.
ct Havana. and Acting Secretary Bacon OF the
State Department An important fact shown in
the dispatches that intervention asked
by the Cuban government as early Sep
ternber s. that on September Ia President Palma
had determined TO resign. and that the Woo
President and Cabinet ministers HAD also deter
mined not to continue longer IN office Inter
vention by the United States had long been
planned by the Palma government. and was
communicated to the State Department In q
letter by Consul General Steinhardt early as
September D. The correspondence follows:
Havana, September s. 1905.
Secretary OF State. absolutely conhdential)
Secretary Of State Cuba has requested me in
name OF President Palma TO ask President
Roosevelt 10 send immediately two vessels, one
70 Havana, other TO Cienfuegos; they must come
ar onoe. Government forces are unable to queu
rebellion The government is unable TO protect
life and property. President Palma VIII con-
.vene Congress next Friday. and Congress VIII
ask for our forcibe Intervention. It must lie
kept secret and confidential that Palma asked
fer vessels. No one here except President. Sec
ystaryl Of State and myself knows about IT. Very
snxiously awaiting reply. Send reply Send
answer to STEINHARDT, Consul General
Havana, September 10. 1906
Secretary OF State. Washington:
President here worried because reply re-
eeived my message. and asks war vessels be
sTEINHARDT Consul General
RELUCTANT TO INTERVENE
Department Of State
Washington. September 10 1906
Etenharot Havana:
Your cable received. Two ships have been
sent, due 20 arrive Wednesday The President
directs 10 state that perhaps you do not
yourself appreciate the reluctance with which
this country would intervene. President Palma
should be Informed that, ia the public opinion
here, if would have most damaging effect for
Intervention 10 be taken until the Cuban govern
,nent has exhausted every effort in a serious at
tempt to put down the instruction and has
made this fact evident TO the world. At present
the impression certainly would be that there
mo real popular support Of the Cuban govern
Enent. or else that the government was hopeless
flly weak AS conditions at this moment
are not prepared to say what shape the inter-
iVention should take. IT is, OF course. very
lserious thing 70 undertake forcibe Intervention,
END before going into IL should have to be
absolutely certain OF the equities OF the case and
OF the needs of the situation. Meanwhile,
assume that every effort is being made by the
government 10 come 20 working agreement
provided they are unable TO hold their own with
them IN the field Until such efforts have been
MADE, we are nor prepared TO consider the ques-
BACON. Acting Secretary.
Havana, September 10 1908
secretary OF s;ate Washington
Your cable received and directly communicated
70 the President, who asks ships remain for a.
considerable time, TO give security to foreign
.ers In the island OF Cuba and says that he will
DO as much possible with his forces to put
down ansurrectlon. but II unable 10 conquer or
compromise, Cuban Congress will Indicate kind
of Intervention Desirable I appreciates reiuct-
ance on our part 20 intervene, especially IN view
OF Secretary Roots recent statements. Few,
however, understand Cuban situation and q less
number are able to appreciate the same This
IS, OF course. without any reference 10 superior
authority. Palma applied public funds In pub
lie works and public education, but not in pur-
chase war material Irsurrection;sts for a con-
hence governments apparent weakness at the
commencement. Yesterdays defeat OF rebels
gives the government hope. attempts useless
from the start.
sTT1NEARDT. Consul General
WARNING SUGGESTED
Department OF State,
washington, September IL. 1905.
'Eteinhardt, American Consul General. Havana:
Your letter of September has had the care
tul consideration OF the President. who. for your
,private information, believes actual, immediate
intervention TO be out Of the question We are
considering however, and would like your opin-
Ion, as 10 whether not to send word OF
phatio warning 10 the certainty that inter
Vsntion will come in the end unless the people
los Cuba for the sake of their country find some
way settle their difficulties irrespective OF per-
sonalties, cease their contentious and live IN
peace. This you may convey confidentially TO
President Palma, but not for publication. You
viii urge President Palma TO use in the most
effective manner all the resources al his COM
mand TO Quell the revolt BACON.
Havana September II. 1905.
Secretary Of State, Washington:
Secretary of State the Republic Of Cuba at
$40 to-day delivered TO me memorandum in his
own handwriting a translation Of which fol-
lows, and is transmitted. Notwithstanding pre-
fSious secret instructions the subject:
The rebellion has increased In the provinces
OF Santa Clara, Havana and Pinar del Rio, and
the Cuban government has no elements to con-
tend II, defend the towns and prevent the
rebels from destroying property. PRESIDENT rs
trada Palma asks for American intervention
and begs that President Roosevelt send 10 Ha-
ivana with the greatest secrecy and rapidlty
1900 or 5000 men 70 avoid any catastrophe IN
the capital The intervention asked for shou!d
not be made public until the administration
troops are in Havana The situation IS grave
end any delay may produce massacre OF citi-
,gens in Havana"
Havana. Sept. - 1906 Crecefved 1:49 p. n.y..
Eecretary OF State, Washington:
Your cable 11th received and instructions
complied with My opinion IS that a message
reading follows should AZ once be cabled TO
charge d'affaires here, 10 be communicated 10
President Palma ana, IL possible. given at the
came time TO the press:
The President Of the United States directs me
20 communicate 70 you that he regrets present
state OF affairs in Cuba and directs me further
10 say that you must use. in the most effective
manner, all the resources at your command 10
oueu the present revolt or else in the end in
fervention on the part or the United States or
America will become a necessity, which, for the
sake of your country. must be avoided"
] have used as far as possible your own phrase
elogy. and believe IL so sent will have a favor
able result 81 Cuban Congress next Friday. All
reference 10 make compromise. Ike ideas,
must be omitted: is most important that the
dignity OF government is upheld TO guarantee its
sTEINHARDT, Consul General
DETERMINATION TO RESIGN.
Havana, September 49, 1905
Assistant Secretary OF State Washington:
President Palma OF the Republic Cuba