The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-09-29

heard from the spectators, but this was
the only demonstration of interest.
Alfredo Zayas replied to Mandulay.
He urged that congress had no legal
right to present such an appeal to the
president. Mandulay retorted that in
the present crisis, with the life of the
nation at stake, II was the duty of con-
gress TO disregard such technicalities.
Congressman Diego Tamayo declared
that congress was face TO face with the
death Of the nation, and that only Pal
mas continuance In ONCE could save
the republic. A long argument ensued,
to which many representatives and
senators paid little heed. Doiz chatted
with some friends who had gathered
minated the question of the right of
congress to appeal to the president for
reconsideration of his resignation by
putting the matter to a vote. The vote
was AZ ayes to 13 noes. On the motion
Of Mandulay the house then took re-
cess to permit the moderates and the
liberal nationalists to visit Palma.
Palma Much Affected.
The members went to the palace.
where they were at once received by
the president in the old throne room OF
Spanish days. now the red salon. Pal
ma was much affected at the appear
ance OF practically all his leading allies.
He greeted them sorrowfully, and then
listened intently to Senator DOLE, who
stated the object of the errand. Pres
ident Palma replied dejectedly that il
was impossible for him To continue as
president of nation whose people evil
IDENTIFY had become out of accord and
sympathy with him and his govern
ment. Neither could he continue at the
head of a government while a portion
of the people was disposed to remain in
armed rebellion. He voiced his deep
regrets. but reiterated. that his decision
was irrevocable.
He was deeply moved, and spoke with
tears In his eyes. He said
Il would never have hesitated to
make any sacrifice asked for by my
country, whose liberty ] fought for dur
ing forty years, exposing my life and
wrecking nay fortune. But you ask me
to sacrifice my personal dignity and
that Of the government of the republic
now imperilled by armed forces, With
out any prospects of a practical result
i'm securing peace and the stability of
the nation. If 1 could see that the sac
rifice OF my personal and official dig
nifty meant peace and stability and
rightful liberty, you could count on my
compliance to that extent. But since
my authority has been curtailed by
armed force, and as / have been noti-
fed officially that I am occupying my
position by fraud, l beg you not to in
sist in asking me to withdraw my res
ignation, which has been presented TO
congress, and which represents my ir-
revocable resolution"
All Shed Tears.
Senator DOLE broke the ensuing 81
lence, saying that the mOderates would
not press the request, and ended the
interview by embracing President Pal
ma. The president and several others
wept freely, and the delegates in turn
grasped President Palma's hand and
withdrew to the residence OF Senior
Dolz. There they entered into a long
conference. The tendency at first was
to endeavOr to meet the liberals by
agreeing on General Menocal for pro-
visional president. This, however, was
soon abandoned. because il was recalled
that Secretary Taft had intimated that
President Palma's continuance in of
flee would be the only arrangement
sufficiently satisfactory to the United
States to prevent intervention.
The crowd left Senior Dolls residence