The Washington times., 1906-09-23
Agree to Appoint a Com
mittee With Power to
Conduct Nego-
tiatiOnS.
RESULT OF CONFERENCE
HELD AT MARIANA0
Palma's Political Prisoners
Attend Under Guard and
Take Part in the
Discussion.

HAVANA, Sept. 22.-As a result
of the conference OF Liberal leaders
with Secretary Taft at Marianao
and at Secretary Taft's request, the
reyolutionists appointed q commit
tee of eight members, with Senator
Zayas as chairman, and invested the
committee with full powers TO con
duct negotiations for peace.
If peace is possible at all, this
step Is a great advance toward its
realization.
Secretary Taft spent the whole
evening in conference with the in
surgent chiefs, with a view Of in
dueing them TO agree to the ap-
pointment of the committee.
OBJECTED AT FIRST.
When the suggestion was first
made to the insurgent chieftains by
Secretary Taft, Orestes Ferrara re-
Piled that it was impossible with
out consulting with the imprisoned
Liberals in Havana. Secretary Mon
talvo offered 70 allow these Politi-
cal prisoners TO attend the confer
/ ence under guard.
The prisoners, however. refused.
but stated that they would accept
temporary freedom if the American
commissioners secured their re-
leases. Captain Mccoy requested
the chief of the Principe Jail in the
name of the commission TO grant
the attendance of the prisoners at
the consultation.
Political Prisoners Attend.
Jose AIiaueI Gomez. Juan GuaIberto
Gomez. and General MOnreag guido. Gen
Garcia Velez. Gen. Demetri0 Castillo
were allowed 10 attend the conference.
They arrived AT Marlauao, where Min
lister Morgan has his home late this
/ evening.
Senor Guerra and Colonel Betancourt
and other insurgents from Pinar Del Rio
were late in arriving
/ Captain SuliJl, representing Americans
/ I'm the Isle OF Pines visited Secretary
TAFT today urging the appointment Of a
mayor for the isles without the sanction
nf the government to succeed Mayor
Sanchez. a liberal, who has resigned
/ CAPTAIN Smith stated for the AueTt-
! cans that Il is their intention 10 preserve
order.
Secretary Taft Hopeful.
Taft expressed the opinion that the
negotiations are making satisfactory
progress and he IS hopeful OF the out
come. The appointment OF the liberal
neace committee is a great step toward
this end. There is growing connaenee
b in the ability Of Secretary Taft 70 bring
i, ab1,,t a successful termination Of his
labOrs.
Rumors Of the intended resignation of
President Palma tonight appear IN
founded.
Rebel Chief Spelling for Fight.
Pino Guerra held a review for the
benefit of Major Ladd. L. S. A.. and the
rebel chief was plainly bcastful and
apparently anxious for some Kind or a
fight.
1t has been found that more than half
Of his men are negroes. A large pare
of them are recruited from the mose
turbulent element of the island 30
long as the uprising lasts, they are sure
Of food and clothing. and they prefer
/ this guerrilla existence TO the hard work
on the. sugar plantations, where the ma
ioritv Of them were employed. Their
leaders are encouraging them by telling
them that they can take to the brush
! and defy all the forces that can be sent
against them.
This feeling was plainly shown when
the United States warships began 10
( I assemble in Havana and Cieufuegos.
The rebels simply shrugged their shOul-
ders and quoted The old Spanish say
ing. "They cannot take 90 the bush. ="
; After a hard days work, Secretary
/ Taft was still in his usual sunny mood
today. He denied that he had heard
OF the reported resignation Of Presi-
dent Palma. but he seemed in no wise
despondent over the situation
Patience Needed, Says Taft.
When asked for his views of the out
. come. he said he must be reserved. but
- he expected important developments
! soon. The last words he uttered were
! IN Spanish. namely. "Paciencia neces-
saria" (pauenee Is needed.
1t is understood that his greatest dif-
: fculty is with the insurgent leaders.
Q Senator Zayas. the representative OF
the Liberal party and TO a certain ex-
tent Of the rebel leaders, and the p0-