Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-23
ARMS OF CUBA
FACE TO FACE
IN THE FIELD
Continued from First Page.)

over the prospect of active service in Cuba.
Just at present only one battalion. COM
prising two companies. Is at the post. but
the soldiers making up this battalion are
eager to go to the front. Eight companies
of the 9th Regiment are on their home
ward march from the Indiana encamp-
ment and will be at Fort Sheridan Septem-
Der y or q Col. w. l. Pitcher. COM
mandant at the post. Is In command Of the
troops on the march Four troops Of the
9th Cavalry. colored. are expected at Fort
Sheridan within q few days. In addition.
two batteries Of artillery. now engaged at
target practice at Michigan City, will re-
turn to the post In day or two. In case
Of q call for troops to go to Cuba" said
Gen Carter. commanding the Department
Of the Lakes. 1T IL probable that all OF the
Fort Sheridan troops would 60. with the
exception Of q battalion to guard the post.
The 9th Regiment n on the first list for
active service. anyway. and Is likely to go
10 tha Philippines II It doesn't go to Cuba.
Our men have seen considerable foreign
service but they always are ready to re-
spond to the call for active service. pre-
ferring It to the quiet post work. Possibly
they would prefer the Philippines. We can
pines.
"Af present our companies average about
sixty-hve men each. hut the government
can increase this number to about 10 IL
necessary
At Fort Sheridan little Is discussed ex-
cept the possibility Of going to Cuba The
newspapers are eagerly perused and the
spirit of unrest Is growing daily.
Taft Calls on Palma.
Special Cablsgram to The Star.
HAVANA, September 22-The commits
sion headed by Secretary Taft called on
President Palma at the palace today and
reported progress in the negotiations for
peace. They also returned the call OF Gen.
Rodrfguez, commander Of the government
forces. Afterward the commissioners went
aboard the battleship Louisiana and then
returned to Mariana, where they continued
their work. There was temporary inter-
ruption of the negotiations. however owing
to the fact that the five liberal leaders
who are in jail had not been released. It
Is understood that the government offered
to allow these prisoners. among whom is
Jose Miguel Gomez, former candidate Cor
the presidency on the liberal ticket, to at
tend q meeting of the rebel leaders with
Senator Zayas and other liberals provided
they were given their parole or would go
under the escort of detectives.
Refused to Deal
Five men In jail refused to deal with the
government, whereupon Mr.. Taft asked
that they be tempors ri'r>-5c-cr.S3. The gov
ernment ccoeded to this. and Capt. Frank
Mccoy. aid to the American commission
ers, came to Havana in an automobile from
Mariana at $50 pm. The government re-
leased the five leaders, and also allowed
two other political prisoners to go with
Capt: Mccoy to Mariana. On arrival at
the latter place the insurgent leaders met
in a general caucus with the malcontents.
Prior to seeing Secretary Taft the malcon-
tents had been anxious to postpone the
meeting until tomorrow. but the Secretary
wishes to push matters on as quickly
possible. and wanted the meeting to be
held at once. as he considers that time
should be lost in bringing the present con-
dition of affairs to an end on account of
the injury to the country.
Mr.. Taft explained to the newspaper men |
that when he inquired in regard to the
release of the FIVE political prisoners he |
was informed that they he'd been indicted
by a court to whose jurisdiction they were
subject, and consequently he considered
release. TO do SO would favor one side
as against the other Therefore, he only
asked that they be released temporarily.
A Step Forward.
Secretary Taft considers the decision OF
the nnoderates to abide by the decision of
the American commission a decided
step forward. He will endeavor to have the
malcontent1 appoint committee which will
represent them and which will have full
power &c make a final agreement in their
name.
1t is thought Mr.. Taft may try to bring
both sides together and get them to agree
to a solution OF the trouble, the mall |
contents may agree to leave the matter to
his arbitration. In this case the commission |
might try to save Palma, which it would |
have the power to do if both sides agreed |
to arbitration. !
This afternoon Secretary Taft saw |
Ferrara Machado and Mendez rebel lead |
ers representing the Santa Clara insur- |
gents, A crowd assembled outside of Min |
lister Morgan's house to see the rebels enter. |
The visit of the leaders was a short one and |
was merely preliminary to more important |
meetings which are expected to follow later. |