New-York tribune., 1906-09-26
CAN LAND 11,OOO MEN.
That Force Viii Be AUailable an
Cuba Soon.

Washington, Sept. 25.-The President, prompt
ed by the discouraging news received from Sec
retary Taft, ordered to-day that every available
marine not now in Cuba be sent there, ogether
with five additional naval vessels Pursuant 10
the Presidents orders, the acting Secretary OF
the Navy ordered to Cuba the battleships Indi-
ana and Kentucky from Provincetown, the cruis-
er Prairie from Boston, the cruiser Brooklyn
now in Philadelphia, and the battleship Texas.
now at Norfolk In addition TO these, a vessel
belonging to the Morgan Steamship Company.
and now at New Orleans, has been chartered,
and will convey marines TO Cuba from that
point. Practically all the marines on the North
Atlantic Squadron. approximately five hundred.
started for Cuba tonight on the Indiana ana
The Kentucky Nine hundred others, all that
are now available. will go at once, while it is
expected to raise and send to Cuba 1900 more at
an early date, making an addition of 2,7OO to
the present force of 2.10O marines now in Cuban
waters, grand total of $500.
There are now on naval vessels in Cuban
waters approximately 5000 bluejackets. and the
additional ships ordered there will increase this
number to 1000, making total available
landing force of nearly 1900 men.
The entire force Of marines ordered to Cuba
will be placed under the command of Colonel
Littleton W. T. Waller, who commanded the
marines who marched TO Picking.
Despite this large addition the military
forces ordered to Cuba. intervention cannot yet
be said 10 have been determined upon. This
constitutes, however. the last move of the ad-
ministration before actual intervention, orders
for which may come at any moment. The
Cubans have one last chance, and, if they
fail to avail themselves of their opportunity
and make peace. actual Intervention will be
dered and cavalry and infantry will be sent TO
Cuba protect the rights and property of
American citizens as we'll as those of the citi-
Zens Of other nations
According to the advices received here to-day
by way of oyster Bay, Secretary Taft is thor
oughly disgusted with the course of President
Palma and his cabinet. who constitute the real
obstacles 10 a peaceful settlement of the exist
ing difficulties. and, although the Secretary of
War has not abandoned hope, he regards the
situation critical and the necessity of inter-
vention as growing daily more imminent.
The War Department is thoroughly prepared
for intervention in every respect save that Of
transportation. which problem continues 10
cause anxiety to the members of the General
Staff. 1t has esta blished a telegraph service
whereby it is advised each day at the close Of
business of the precise number of privately
owned vessels available for transportation pur-
poses. their location. character and capacity
but orders for the charter Of such vessels
owners have been opened. 1t is asserted that
the cost of such vessels. If chartered by the
quartermaster general would be enormous
amounting. probably, to $4,000 day or more
Moreover. after such vessels were char
tered. it would require not less than seven days
TO make them ready to transport troops a DELAY
which would prove exceedingly trying were
there to arise immediate necessity for the land
ing of troops in Cuba.
Army and navy officers have now come to the
decision that Intervention in Cuba is inevitable.
although that is merely their personal opinion
and is not, it is said, the opinion of Secretary
Taft, who merely regards the situation as far
less hopeful than he has done at any time since
he went to Havana.
II Is believed that with the additional marines
ordered TO Cuba, the force there Including the
bluejackets. would be sufficient for anv tenn
porary necessities even if intervention were or
dered. but the bluejaCkets could not remain long
away from their respective vessels and every
effort would be made immediately 10 send troODs
10 relieve them. The marines could of course
remain ashore long the necessities OF the
case required, but the policy of the adminfstra-
tion would be TO relieve them as fast as in
1ahtry ana cavalry could be landed. so that
they might return to their proper stations
aboard ship.
Boston, Sept 25.-The battleships Indiana and
Kentucky sailed for Havana at o'clock to-
night from Provincetown. The vessels took
nearly five hundred marines. the entire number
attacned To the North Atlantic Squadron. Boa
vessels were cheered as they passed through the
fleet on their way around the cane
A telegram was received at the Charlestown
Navy Aard 1rom the Navy Department to-day
oIaeImg that the battleshig Rhode Island be
Put In readiness for immediate sailing orders