The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1906-10-19
PLANS OF MACON
Solely Responsible For Affairs In
Cuba For the Present
SELECTION OF A CABINET
appointment of Officials Is In
definitely POstpOned--Liberals
Give Peace Commissioners
Hearty Farewell

Havana, Oct 15.-Charles e. Ma.
goon's first day as governor Of Cuba
passed busily, but quietly. The palace
was singularly still, compared with the
eventful days of the past regime,
Governor Magoon says that he is
looking forward with confidence to a
peaceful administration. He expresses
the warmest appreciation of the work
accomplished by Messrs. Taft and Ba-
con, both in the pacification of the ISL
and and laying the foundation for a
smooth and successful system of pro-
visional government. The governor
sees no reason to anticipate further
sudden changes in the situation or any
especially sensational incident.
Governor Magoon has announced his
decision to postpone the appointment
Of cabinet officers indefinitely. His in
tention Is to consider thoroughly the
conditions and needs of each depart
ment, and this can be better accom-
plished at the outset by having the sub
ordinate heads report direct to him
self. BY this method, he believes he
will be better enabled to select the min
listers best fitted for the respective
posts.
Asked whether he was likely to per-
init partisan political expediency to in
huence cabinet or other appointments,
MagoOn replied that such considera-
lions might rule to some extent, since
1t certainly would be impolitic to ap-
point to high Office men to whom a con-
siderable portion of the people was OPP
posed. Efficiency and suitability,
however, would be the main considera-
tons.
General Bell intends to distribute a
battalion of engineers throughout the
island for the purpose of verifying cor
recting and completing the large army
map of Cuba begun during the former
Intervention, but not completed except
for the provinces of Havana and Ma
tanzas.
Secretary of War Taft and Assistant |
Secretary of State Bacon, President |
Roosevelt's peace commissioners, COM
pleted their labors here Saturday and |
In the afternoon departed for the United |
States on board the battleship Lousi-
ana. They were followed to sea and ac-
claimed by many Liberal and ex-revolu-
tionary leaders, but the former gov
eminent officials showed no disposition
to join in the farewell, either collec.
lively or Individually. and no prominent
MOderates appeared at the palace or
the wharf to participate in the leave
taking.
The principal event of the day pre-
ceding the departure of Taft and Ba-
con was the taking over of the govern
ment by Magoon, which was done by
the issuance of proclamation declar-
ing that he had entered upon and would
discharge the functions of govern
ment as directed by President Roose-
welt by virtue of the authority Of the
Plat amendment.
The Louisiana passed out first,
laundering a salute of 81 guns to the
Cuban flag flying at her mainmast,
with her Whitehead crew manning the
rails and the band playing the Cuban
national hymn. The salute was re-
turned by the Cabanas fortress.
In the wake of the flagship came the
Virginia, carrying General Funston,
and then the New Jersey. Afterwards
came the army transports Niagara and
Seneca and a fiotila of gayly decorated
launches, carrying mostly leading Lib
erals and ex-rebels, flying Liberal ban
ners The battleships were escorted to
the harbor mouth, where the f1otilla
whistled farewells, the warships re-
spending, and Secretary Taft and his
party waving their hats and handker-
chiefs.