Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-19
TAFT IN HAVANA
PLANS FOR PEACE
NOW UNDER WAY
Formally Welcomed by Mayor
and CounciImen. a
TO PALACE IMMEDIATELY
TO PALACE Immediately
Conferences Held With Commander
Colwell and Senior O'Farrill,
CROWD AT CABALLERIA WHARF
Secretary Taft and Assistant Secre>
tary Bacon Presented to President
Palma by Minister Morgan. a

Secretary Taft and party arrived
in Cuba today. They were for
mally received and went immedi-
ately to the palace, where Minister
Morgan made the introductions to
President Palma. Conferences were
held with Commander Colwell and
others. The rebels have assumed
an attitude, according to the latest
dispatches, which does not make
the negotiations for peace SO SIM
pie as was anticipated. A rebel
general makes the statement that
his side has already won and that
the war will be continued to the
end. 1t is asserted that Pafma's
government is illegal.
HAVANA, September I9.-The American
cruiser Des Moines, with Secretary Of War
Taft and Assistant Secretary OF State Bacon
o'clock this morning. The cruiser came
from Florida at the moderate speed Of
eleven knots in order not to arrive here be.
fore daylight.
All on board are we'll The secretaries
had breakfast early, and at $50 the caps
tain of the port conveyed Senior O'F'ar~'
rill, the Cuban secretary of state; Mr..
Sleeper, the American charge d'affaires.
and the representative of the Associated
Press Oh board. At the same hour Com
mander Colwell came over from the cruiser
Denver,
An Informal Conference.
Messrs. Taft and Bacon had a long, in.
formal and private conference with Senior
O'Farrill. Afterward they talked with
Commander Colwell and others. Secretary
Taft said he had arranged tentatively to
hold hearings at the home of American
Minister Morgan IN Mariana. but that no
definite arrangements would be made until
the formalties of the day were over.
Just before 10 o'clock the entire party
landed and proceeded to the palace, where
Minister Morgan presented Messrs. Taft
and Bacon to President Palma.
fairly large crowd had assembled at
the Caballeria wharf to witness the land
ing, but there was no demonstration OF
any sort as the launch carrying the guests
whose visit Is considered so momentous to
Cuba's future, swept around the cruiser
Denver. which is still moored in front OF
this wharf The Denver's sailors were
drawn up and presented arms and the
cruiser fired salute as the Secretary Of
War stepped ashore
Formal Welcome.
The Secretary at once faced a score Of
clicking cameras. Then the mayor and
the councilmen Of Havana, clad in black
frock coats, advanced and delivered a for.
NAL welcome. to which Secretary Taft re-
sponded briefly. The party thereupon en-
tered automobiles and were driven to the
palace. Here they were conducted up
stairs into the main salon.
Rebels Not Anxious for Peace.
Special Cablesram to The Star.
HAVANA, September 19.-With the arrival
of the Taft party 1t is reported that there
has been a serious hitch in the negotia.
tfons for peace which President Palma
hoped TO be able to conclude before the
American envoys arrived. The rebels It
seems have adopted an obstinate attitude,
refusing to reduce their demands. 1t ID
regarded here as probable that under
guise of aiding Palma in his plan of fore
stalling American interference the insur-
gents have in reality been blocking tho
negotiations purposely to make Tafts aid
necessary.
There are various indications OF the stub
bornness of the rebels. commissioner
from one OF the insurgents camps says
that nothing short of q new election will
satisfy the faction with which he is identi-
fed. prominent liberal is quoted as de-
claring that both the government and con-
gress must resign before peace terms can
be arranged and adds that this decision
is final Senator Zayas, leader of the lib
erals, yesterday told convention Of his
followers that there could be no negotia-
tons with the Palma regime until all the
political prisoners now in jail were re-
leased. He is reported to have also said
that there would have to be a new cleo
tion or the revolution would go on.
Different opinions are expressed as to
what the Taft party will do. President
Palmas cabinet believes that the Ameri-
can commissioners will act in Cuba as
they did in Panama. and back up the gov
eminent in the same manner as they sup
ported President Amador's regime.
Rebels Not Positive.
The rebels are not so positive In their
views as to what Tafts attitude will be.
Senator Zayas in a speech yesterday. sug-
gested that liberal committee OF six men,
beers meet the envoy. explain the situation
from their standpoint and answer any
questions which the Americans may care
to ask.
Another view is put forward by one OF
the most determined OF the rebel leaders,.
Gen. Loyuax del Castillo He II encamped
at Santiago de Las Vegas An interview
In which he outlines his attitude reached