The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-10-19
TAFT TELLS OF CONDITION Has Long Talk With
 President. FUNSTON Is COMpLIMENTED No Slight Was Implied in Bell's
 Appointment.
FUNSTON Is COMpLIMENTEI
War Secretary Says That as soon Es Fair Elections are Assured
 American Troops Will . Be Withdrnrn.

= Be Withdrnrn.
 Washington, Oct. 1S.-President Roosevelt had a long conference today with Secretary Taft and Assistant Sec retary Bacon. who made a full report of all that occurred on the island since the United States Government inter- vened to restore order In Cuba. The condition of affairs In the island and the views of the officials as to the future were taken up with a view to the thorough understanding of the sit uation by the President. The financial feature of the intervention also was l talked of and the question of the ap- pointment of fiscal agent of the United States in the island discussed. It Is understood that some respon- sible banking institution will be se- lected for this purpose. Neither the President nor those who conferred with a general statement regarding the conference.
 Panama matters were also discussed. It has been decided to appoint a Gov ernor as well as an American Minis ter for Panama. although the President has not yet agreed to make public the names of the persons selected. When CiONeFnOT MdSOOn was dt the lStnn1uS he filled both positions.
 Secretary Taft will not accompany the President to the isthmus. The present expectation is that the Presi- dent will be unaccompanied by any member of his Cabinet or other high official.
 When Secretary Taft resumed his du- ties at the War Department after his conference with the President he found 1att of quiring his attention. The first bus mess. however. was to give the nec essary orders to carry into effect the plans he had formed relative to Cuba. which had received the approval of the President.
 Speaking generally of the results of his mission to Cuba and the prospects for the political future of that island. the Secretary said that success had been attained in one important point at least. namely. the fighting had beer stopped and he did not believe that 1t would be renewed, even after the with drawal of the American forces. Dfnicult situation. It had been a difficult and dangerous situation for a time Jas the commits sion had had to deal with an undis- ciplined force of perhaps 10000 men and arms and scattered about the is- land, making 1t difficult to reach them directly.
 It was the real purpose of summon ing General Funston to Cuba to assist in this work. for which he was pecu- liarly qualified. owing to his acquaint ance with many of the leading spirits of both sides. and in which he was entirely successful. There had never been intention of placing him in com mand of the entire American forces and when his work was done in con- nection with the cessation of hostilittes. he returned to the United States. ac cording to the original plan.
 mark of the favor in which Gen eral Funston is held by the President. the Secretary said. was to be found in the fact that this officer was to be placed in command of entire di- vision of the army, although only a Brgadier General. which Is without precedent.
 Secretary Taft said that he was anxious to have General Bell return to Washington as soon as possible. as he was much needed here. But that officer had worked SO long and SO well with him (Secretary TafO in the Philippines In the solution of pre- csely such problems as now confront us in Cuba, that the secretary felt that he was the best representative he could have in Cuba at present.
  would succeed in command of the American forces in Cuba "as erron- eous. according to Secretary Taft. as the command was too large for ju- nior among the brigadier generals.
 Couldn't Make Prediction.
 The secretary preserved his usual attitude when the question of the length of time of American stay in Cuba was brought up. and said 1t was not possible now to make any pre- diction. When the bad feelings stir red un by the revolution had supsideo and there was ample assurance that elections could be held without vio- lence and with fair dealings on all sides and with a disposition to abide loyallv by the results of such elec- tions on all sides then and not pefore would the time mentioned in his proc lamation issued in Havana, De at hand and the retirement tt tne Amer ican forces be in order. Cer'a,hiy they would not retire before the eiec- tions for it would be necessary to watch those to make sure that they were fairly conducted.
 In answer to the question as to now long it would take to install the new government after the electlohs' the secretary said he re.'eved three or rcur wr,'lS would suH'ce.
 Relati.. to the Iispositi"' or the military o.lI ndNdl 'h'0 ih 'D'' i'~ said that 1t has been decided to wlth- draw as soon as possible q number or marines now in the island, There was i, force there of about 2.4o' marines, and all but about four or HVe nun drcd were to bc withdrawn, most or them coming to the navy Nards ana stations whence they had gone. The few retained in Cuha-now In the ln- terior--would be particularly usefnl in towns and ports off tn" ralwaNs' As the marines were called away they would he replaced by soldltrS and the number of th"s" originally fixed at $500 men, would pr"""hiN "c increased to about 1,oou.
 The Secretary d"cljn"' state what proportion ut n" 'xp"ns" or this army would he ,harG"d against the Cuban revenues. but said the mat ter would be treated in SV"rlAl O. der which he would soon .SSn". Ihere was no longer need for maintaining naval force of any omnunt in Cuban waters. SO he had recommended To the President. who approved the sug- gestion that all of the warships now therA he withdrawn with the eXCep-