New-York tribune., 1906-10-13
ALL DEPENDS ON CUBA
ATTITUDE OF AMERICA.
Withdrascal of Troops WI Foilosc
Peaceful Elections.

| it's peace commissioners, is not ready 10 a"-
| nounce when it will withdraw from the island
| OF Cuba and surrender the reins of govern
| ment 10 the Cuhans. This action cannot be
taken until the time arrives when fair elections
! are assured This statement made by Gov
ernor Taft to-day as a sort Of valedctory al
dress to the revolutionists committee with
which the American commissioners dealt in in
ducing the rebels TO cease hostilities and neSo-
tiate peace. The committee had a conference
lasting an hour with Governor Taft the AS
sstant Secretary of State Mr.. Bacon, and
Charles f. Magoon. who is 10 succeed Mr.. Tart
as provisional governor, and at its conclusion
expressed satisfaction with the position taken
by the provisional government.
Headed by Alfredo Zayas. the committee Nis-
ited Governor Taft for the avowed purpose OF
requesting him to declare the policy Of the
United States toward Cuba and the policy of the
Provisional Governor concerning the appoint
ments to public Offices. The Americans lis
tened carefully to all the representations Of the
committee. and then Governor Taft replied
pointedly that he could not outline the policy Of
the United States more clearly than done in
his proclamation establishing a provisional gov
ernment for the island. He added that the
representative of the United States he was just
a. anxious to surrender governmental affairs To
the Cubans the Cubans were to regain them,
but the peace commissioners were under the re-
sponsibility to build up conditions which would
make the Cuban government stable one. Gov
ernor Taft would not predict when such salts
factory condition would he reached. but he said
the Cubans themselves could hasten that time if
they were disposed to Go so. A fair and honest
election on the results of which the Cuban peo-
pie were willing to abide. Secretary Taft said.
was necessary before the United States would
feel justified in WITHDRAW wing from the island,
Senor Zayas, Carlos Garcia and Jose Miguel
Gomez hastened to assure Governor Taft that 1t
was not their personal ambition TO obtain public
office. They said, however that the interests of
their party demanded that the government
should not be continued i'm the form against
which they had revoted. Assurances were given
the committee by Mr Taft that Mr.. Magoon
would consider complaints against officials in
vestigate them and remove persons found unfit
to hold posts of responsibility or trust, but that
capable men with good records would he
tanned The committee informed Governor Taft
that it intended to dissolve at once.
This evening committee representing many
Americans in Cuba presented TO Messrs Taft
and Bacon an address expressing appreciation
for the great services they had done for all resi-
dents of the island. The address said:
The results you have accomplished are greater
than could reasonably have been hoped for
Nearly thirty thousand armed men, moved by
intense, bitter passions arrayed against
the government and a contIicr was imminent in
which enormous loss of life and property seemed
Inevitable. It scarcely seemed possible that peace
could be brought out of such elements Of dis
cord and strife without bringing into active
vice the military power at your command but
within less than month your wise and sa ga
cious methods and the adroitness with which
you handled your difficult task brought peace
and quiet TO Cuba
Not the least satisfactory of the present con-
siderations is the fact that in the settlement of
the turbulent conditions you have caused little
irritation or resentment, and have secured from
Cubans increased respect and regard for the
United States and greater confidence and trust
in the good Will and intentions of the American
people for the welfare of Cuba.
We do not believe so successful speedy an
achievement, under conditions so difficult and
dangerous has any parallel. The thanks and
gratitude OF the Cubans and the great people YOU
represent are due you for these inestimable SER
vices.
Responding 70 this address, Governor Taft ex-
pressed his sincere thanks. He said the testi-
mony of Americans and others who were on the
ground had been of great assistance at the out
set IF the peace commissioners work The
commissioners early felt the tremendous re-
sponsbty of being the agents 10 bring about #
right solution to such vexed conditions. Gov
ernor Taft said that he and Mr.. Bacon were
gratifed by the reflection that they had re-
Trained from applying the match to the powder
amount of valuable property and averting blood
shed. He added that IT would be comforting TO
the'n 10 know. when possibly the work done in
Cuba would be dealt with by less merciful
critics that there were some at least who had
approved of their efforts and conceded that use
ful work had been accomplished thereby in the
pacification and progress of Cuba.
The disarmament commissioners sent 10 Santa
Clara province Hernandez and Monteagudo.
have returned here and report to Governor Taft
that they have dsarmed and disbanded all the
forces In that province. More than 5000 men
have been disbanded and 1000 rifles surren-
dered to the provisional government have been
brought into Havana
Reports OF trouble in various places are pour
ing in, but Governor Taft says that investiga-
uon always shows them to be not serious
Secretary Taft to-day received Mr. Stark
president Of the Isle of Pines Association and
INFORMED him positively that the provisional
government could not consider any movement
IN the direction Of the separation OF the isle
from Cuban sovereignty. Mr. Taft added that
the matter Of the internal government Of the
Isle or Pines had been referred to Charles E.
Magoon. who succeeds Mr.. TAFT as Governor of
cuba, accompanied by a formal statement in
which Mr.. Taft said:
1t is absolutely impossible for the provisional
government of Cuba 10 recognize for a rnomeD+
mat the Isle Of Pines Is not completely under
the jurisdiction of the provisional government
as part or the Republic OF Cuba, and that while
the Iact that the majority of the residents Of
the Isle of Pines are Americans may, call for
SAceptlonal provisions respecting provincial and
Tnuhlcipai government, any OF the three bases
mentioned IN the Isle of Pines Associations
communication, involving the separation of the