Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-10-19
CONFERENCE IN WHITE HOUSE
President Consults EessrL Taft and Bacon
On Conditions in Guta
PANAMA AFFAIRS ALSO DISCUSSED
Decision 20 Appoint an American
Minister TO the Republic aud
Governor for Canal
Zone.

WARRINGTON, Oct. Is President
..poseyelt had long conference today
Nitll Secretary Taft and Assistant Score
tary Bacon who made a full report OF
all that occurred in Cuba since the United
States government interviewed 20 restore
order. Conditions in the island and the
views of the officials as to the future were
discussed the president desiring a thorough
understanding OF the situation. The finan-
clal feature Of the Intervention also was
taken up and the possible appointment OF a
fiscal agent for the United states dis
cussed. IL is expected that some response
BILE banking institution will be selected for
this purpose. None of the couferees was
willing to mako more than a general state
ment regarding the conversation.
Panama matters were also discussed. 1t
has been decided 10 appoint governor
40 well as an American minister for Pan
anna. although the president is not vet
ready TO announce the names of the per
oons selected. When Governor Magoon
was at the sthmus he filed both positions.
Secretary Taft viii not accompany the
president to the isthmrs. The, present ex-
pectation is that the president will be I'M
accompanied by any member OF his cabi-
net or other high official.
When Secretary Taft resumed his duties
Al the War department after his conference
with the president, he found "A great ac-
emulation OF matters requiring his at
tenton The first business, however. was
10 give the necessary orders to carry into
effect the plans he had formed relative
10 Cuba and which had received the ap-
proval OF the president
Taft Talks of His Mission.
Speaking generally of the results Of his
mission to Cuba and the prospects for the
INN ediate future OF that country, the sec.
rotary said that success had been obtained
in one important point at least--the fight
ing had been stopped, aud he did not be-
love that It would be renewed even after
ting withdrawal OF the American forces.
il had been a difficult and dangerous sys-
TEN for some time, as the commission had
TO deal with an undisciplined force of per-
haps 10000 men under arms and scattered
about the island. making It difficult to
reach them directly.
il was the real purpose of sumnloninE
General Funston 10 Cuba to assist in this
work, for which he was peculiarly quail
fed. owing 10 his acquaintance with many
OF the leading spirits on both sides, and
in which he was entirely successful There
had never been any intention Of placing
him in command of the entire American
forces. and when his work was done in
connection with the cessation of hostilties
he returned TO the United States, according
to the original plan.
Funston In High Favor.
4 mark Of the favor in which General
Funston is held by the president. the sec
rotary said, is to be found I'm the fact that
he was TO have been placed In command
49, dfxriat ne
brigader general, which is without prece-
dent.
Secretary Taft said that he is anxious to
have General Bell return to Washington as
soon as possible. he is needed here In
connection with business of the general
staff But that officer had worked so long
and well In the Philippines IN the solution
OF precisely such problems as now con-
front us in Cuba, he speaks Spanish with
such fiuency aud understands the methods
of doing business with such people as the
cubans so thoroughly that the secretary
feels he is the best representative he can
have in Cuba. The secretary hoped how
ever. that At will he possible to recall Cen
eral Bell 10 Washington in the course Of
81 month or two The report that General
Pershing will succeed in command Of the
American forces In Cuba Is erroneous, ac-
cording to Secretary Taft. as the comma nd
is too large for a junior among the brlga-
der generals.
Stay IL Indefinite.
The secretary preserved his usual attl-
tude when the question of the length OF
time of American stay in Cuba was brought
up and said it is impossible to make any
prediction. When the bad feelings stirred
up by the revolution have subsidized and
there is ample assurance that elections can
be held without violence and with a dis
position to abide loyalty by the results on
all sides, then only win the retirement of
the American forces he in order. Score
tary Taft said II will take three or four
weeks to install the now government after
the elections.
Relative to the disposition of the military
and naval forces i'm Cuba he said that IL
has been decided to withdraw as soon as
possible number of marines. About
c.NO marines are there and all but about
5oo are to be withdrawn. most of them re-
turning To navy yards In the United
States
Tie marines Will be ryplaCed with SOL