Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1906-10-19
NOT YET READY
TO ANNOUNCE
WHEN COMMISSION WILL WITH
DRAW FROM CUBA.
FAIR ELECTIONS WANTlD
Before Surrendering the Reins of the
Government to the Natives 800
Men Have Been Disbanded.

ernmcnt through its peace commits
sloneIs is not ready to announce when
it will withdraw from the Island Of
Cuba and surrender the reins of gov
emment to the Cubans. This action
cannot be taken until the time ar
riTes when fair elections are as
sured.
This statement was made by Gov.
Taft as sort of valedictory ad-
dress to the revolutionists committee
with which the American commission
ers deal in inducing the rebels to
cease hostilities and negotiate peace.
The committee had a conference with
Gov. Taft, assistant Secretary of State
Bacon and Charles E. Magoon, who
is to succeed Mr.. Tart as provisional
governor, and at its conclusion ex-
pressed satisfaction with the posi-
ton taken by the provisional govern
ment.
Headed by Alfredo Zayas, the com
mittee visited Gov. Taft for the avow-
ed purpose Of requesting him to de-
clare the policy of the provisional gov
ernor concerning appointments to pub
lie Office.
The Americans listened carefully to
all the representations of the commit
tee and then Gov. Taft replied point
edly that he could not outline the pol
icy Of the United States he was just
as anxious to surrender government
al affairs to the Cubans as the Cubans
were to regain them, but the respon-
sibility to build up conditions which
would make the Cuban government a
stable one.
Gov. Taft would not predict when
such a satisfactory condition would be
reached but he said the Cubans them
selves could hasten that time if they
were disposed to do so. A fair and
honest election Oh the results Of which
the Cuban people were willing to abide
Gov. Taft declared, was necessary be-
fore the United States would feel JUST
fed In withdrawing from the island.
sSeror Zayas, Carlos Garcia and
Jose Miguel Gomez hastened to assure
Gov. Taft that it was not their per-
sonal ambition to obtain public Office
They decided, however, that the inter
ests Of their party demanded that the
government should not be continued
in the form against which they had
revolted
Assurances were given the commit
tee by Mr.. Taft that Mr.. MagOOn
would consider complaints against any
official, investigating them and remove
persons found unfit to hold positions
of responsibility or trust, but the ca
pahle men with good records would be
retained. The committee informed
Gov. Taft that they intended to dis
solve at once.
A committee representing many
Americans in Cuba presented Messrs
Taft and Bacon with an address ex-
pressing appreciation for the great
services they had done for all resi-
dents Of the island.
Responding to this address Gov
Taft expressed his sincere thanks. He
said the testimony of Americans and
said the testimony Of Americans and
been equally great assistance at the
outset of the peace commissioners
work.
The disarmament commissioners
sent to Santa Clara province, Her
nandez and Monteamudo have return
ed here and report to Gov. Taft thai
they have disarmed and disbanded al
the forces in that province. More than
5000 men have been disbanded and
1000 rifles surrendered to the provis-
ional government and have beer
brought into Havana. Reports OF
trouble in various places are pouring
in, but Gov. Taft says that investiga-
ton shows them not to be serious
Two battalions from the 18th anG
two from the 18th infantry and com
pany B of the hospital corps arrived
here today on the transports Monte
rey and Niagara and proceeded tc
Camp Columbia. Two squadrons Of
the 18th cavalry left Camp Columbis
today for Santa Clara City.