The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-09-16
SHIPS RIDE In BAY
Their Presence Undesignedly Yet
Pclutedly n Typical Of Fact that
America Will Participate
In Cuban Affairs. So

Havana, Sept. l5.--Three American
warships are the most imposing and
interesting objects on Havana Bay
tonight. Their presence undesignedly,
yet pointediy. IL typical Of the fact that
to take a hand In Cuban affairs to the
extent at least Of bringing order out
of the chaotic conditions.
The cruiser Des Moines arrived this
morning and the auxiliary cruiser
Dixie. with $50 marines on board. and
ready at q moments notice to land
field and rapid-fire guns. came this
evening. Comma nder Abraham e. Gull
yer OF the Des Moines, and Lieutenant
Commander Urban Holmes of the Dixie
reported to Commander Colwell Of she
Denver. who, being the Senior officer, 4
is in command Of the squadron.
If Commander Colwelrs mission here
vas In the nature of making peace ne
gotiations, he could hardly be more
busy. He IL receiving delegates repre-
senting the insurgents, and even some
of the Insurgents themselves who are
anxious through him to negotiate peace
Of some kind. He has held consulta-
lions with these emissaries, but de-
clines to do otherwise than recommend
that they go to their Government This
suggestion bore fruit to the extent that
there was some talk between the ennis
saries and Governor Nunez, which may
lead to something more definite.
But while these men are assuring
Commander colwell that hostilities
have been held up on account OF their
erdeavo.s for peace, the fact is that
fighting proceeded outside Havana both
| Friday evening and this afternoon.
While q cessation of hostilities pend
ing the arrival of Secretary Taft and
Acting Secretary OF State Bacon, would
be appreciated by the government and
the public, there Ia no certain evidence
that any such general understanding
has yet been reached. The great topic
of conversation to the exclusion of ev-
erything else today was President
Roosevelt's letter regarding the sit
| uation.
President Palma declines to be inter-
viewed on the subject but II Is known
that he has every confidence Of a square
deal. There Is much speculation as to
future, conditions in the Island. There
are great hopes In practically all classes
that the United States will attain some
degree of control over Cuha's affairs.
Some Cubans and Spaniards hold that
the Liberals and revolutionists should
not be considered by Mr.. Taft in his
efforts to bring about a settlement Of
the trouble, but that the administration
should be upheld without reference to
the revolutionists wishes. Americans
here generally believe that Mr.. Taft
and Mr.. Bacon will regard the wishes
of the people generally, without REFER
ence to past conditions. and will not
engage in purely sustaining the admin
istration.
Commander Colwell this afternoon
cabled the Navy Department that the
revolutionary leaders assured him that
they had ceased hostilities and again Of
fered to bzring him their arms. etc, and
disband their forces Commander COL
we'll stated that he believed he could,
IL authorized, end the insurrection at
once. Up to tonight, however, no In
structions in this connection had been
received by him. The commander also
reported to the department that nego-
tiations for peace had been opened with
the government. and that he believd an
nd of the trouble would result. He
added that he was informed constantly
as o the attitude of the revolutionary
leaders.
In an open letter published this
evening, Alfredo Zayas, President or
the Liberal party, offers on behalf on
the Liberals to negotiate peace on the
basis that Senior Palma shall continue
as President: that two of the Canlnet
ministers shall be members OF the i4lo,
eral party; that the municipal officers
re moved last year shall be restored;
that tire electoral laws shall be revised.
and that new elections of Senators and
Representatives shall be held and also
elections of Governors and provincial
officers to fill the vacancies OF those |
removed last December,
Senior Zayas says that the revolution
lists have suspected all the time that |
reace parleying was going on; that the |
Government was expecting help from
the United States, and denounees as |
unfair the sudden placing OF three |
provinces under martial law white the |
parleying was pending. He says the |
insurgents are ready for just and fair |
treatment. and III the powerful nation |
which gave us our freedom will act as |
arbitrator, we will give 1t our best as |
sistance that We may be able to ac-
ouire and keep the sort Of liberty |
that fiourishes~ In a land OF truth and |
right"
The defenses of Havana have been |
considerably increased. General Rod |
riguez is personally In command. The
defense force consists of 1900 rural
guards, $50 artillerymen. $50 infantry |
rural guards. 1000 municipal police, 500
city militia, and four batteries of Ma
jor clews' rapid fire guns The latter
returned from Pinar del Rio today after |
having guarded the repairs of all the
bridges damaged on the Western Rail- |
road. Inc railroad Is NOW rebuHiiHB !
traffic The forces In the surrounding |
suburbs are several hundred recruits. so
that altogether more than $500 men are
available.
The revolutionists outside the city |
have not yet been dislodged to any ex-
tent Unoficial stodies of General Rod |
riguez's flight with them say persist |
entity that Rodriguez retreated. This
the commander denies absolutely, and
he has again taken the field. This
afternoon General Rodriguez forces and
another force composed OF General Bo-
seas volunteers encountered the revo-
lutiorfists near Ely Cano. The result of
this fight Is not known.
Special Train Chartered.
Washington, Sep 15--General Elliott,
Commandant of Marines, chartered a
special train today to take the marines
stationed at Washington and Norfolk for
embarkation on cruisers destined for