Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-10-11
THEY ASKED HELP
Correspondence Between the Consul
General in Cuba and State De-
partment Made Public.
PALMA WEAK AND HELPLESS
As Early as September . He Asked
That ships De sent and septem-
Der IL OnIcials Were Deter
mined to Resign.

Washington, Oct. 5.-Secretary Rool
made public Thursday the correspond,
ence leading up to the intervention
In Cuba. The correspondence took
place between Consul General Stein
nardt at Havana and Acting Secretary
Bacon Of the state department Al
imporant feature developed In the
jispach was that Intervention was
asked by the Cuban government as
eally as September 8, and that as
long ago as September IA, President
Palma had determined to resign as
president of the republic and that the
vice president and cabinet ministers
had also determined to no longer
continue in office. 1t is also shown
that Intervention by the United States
has long been planned by the Palma
government and was communicated to
the state department in letter by
Consul Steinhardt as early III Sep
TENDER s. The correspondence fol-
lows:
",Iavana, September 8, 1906.
Secretary Of State, absolutely con
f.dentiaD.
Secretary of State Cuba, has re-
uuested me In name OF President Pal
ma to ask President Roosevelt to send
Immediately two vessels; one to Ha-
vana, other to Cienfuegos; they must
come at once. Government forces are
unable to quell rebellion. The gov
eminent is unable to protect life and
property. President Palma will con-
vene congress next Friday and con
gress will ask for our forclble inter
vention. It must be kept secret anu
confidential that Palma asked for ves-
sells. No one here except President,
secretary of state and myself, know
about 1t. Very anxiously awaiting re-
ply. Send answer to
"STEINHARDT, Consul General"
Havana, September 10, 1906.
Secretary of State, Washington.
President here worried because nc
reply received my message and asks
war vessels be sent Immediately.
"STEINHARDT, Consul General"
Department of State, Washington,
September, 10.
"Steinhardt, Havana.
"Your cable received. Two ships
have been sent, due to arrive Wednes-
day. The president directed me to
state that perhaps you do not your
self appreciate the reluctance with
which this country would intervene.
President Palma should be informed
that in the public opinion here ii
would have a most damaging effect
for Intervention to be undertaken I'M
til the Cuban government has ex
hausted every effort in a serious at
tempt to put down the insurrection
and has made this fact evident to the
world. At present the Impression Ger
tainly would be that there was no real
popular support of the Cuban govern
ment or else that the government
was hopelessly weak. AS conditions
are at this moment, we are not pre-
pared to say what shape the interven-
ton should take. 1t is Of course a
very serious thing to undertake for
ellie Intervention and before going in
to 1t we should have to be absolutely
certain Of the eQuitis Of the cause AMI
CT the moods Of the situation. Mean.
while we assume that every effort is
temg made by the government &c
Gene to a working agreement whicn
vii secure peace with the insurre"tos
provided they are unable to hold their
own with them in the field. Untn
suci efforts bsve been made we are
not prepared to consider the question
If Intervention at all.
Bacon, Acting Secretary.
Havana, Sept. 10, 1906.