The Jersey City news., 1906-09-04
PALMA STANDS FIRM
Cuban President Declares He
Will Make No Concessions
to the Rebels.
NOT SEEKING AMERICAN AID


Situation--Little Fighting Reported
Property of United States Citizens
Generally Respected.
Havana, Sept. 4.-President Palma
in an interview put an end to any ex-
pectation that he would make any con-
cessions whatever to the rebels be-
yond the offer of pardon already ex-
tended. The president said he could
not possibly make such concessions Ell
ther now or hereafter and could not
see in any event what the government
could offer beyond what had already
been done. American Intervention, the
president said, had not been considered
because the government believed it
could end the insurrection without as
sistance. The president said:
"You may say emphaticaIly that ru-
mors of any action by the government
in any way looking to compromise or
absolutely false and unfounded for the
present or for the future 1t is impos-
sible that any contingency could bring
it about i cannot see what the gov
ernment could offer the rebels except
ing to allow them to return peacefully
to their homes provided they surrender
and give up their arms"
intervention Not Considered.
Concerning American Intervention
Palma said
''That matter has not been under
consideration because we believe we
can control the situation without any
outside aid We shall put down this
senseless rebellion by force, and we
feel amply confident of our ability to
do it. We were not prepared for
blow of such character, although we
knew several months ago that they
were conspiring, but we soon will have
sufficient men and arms to dominate
the rebels. There may be some iso
lated encounters and desultory fight
ing, but we will be in position to
protect all interests. The people are
not in sympathy with the rebels.
There is a lawless element which al
ways takes advantage of disturbed
conditions to rob and pillage, but /
have confidence in the loyalty Of the
Masses
Vice President Capote Loyal.
Concerning the reported quarrel with
Vice President Mendez Capote and
the rumors that the latter is trying to
have him deposed President Palma
said
''Such report is malicious slandef
on distinguished patriot and loyal
friend of the administration and my
personal friend.
sit will take time" President Palma
continued, ito eradicate this stain. We
were prospering, and foreign capital
had confidence in the stability and re-
sources of Cuba. I have not been q
dictator, but have given constitution.
al government, with ample guarantees.
Even now, when the local press and
many individuals falsify the news and
commit acts which are treason, l have
taken no steps to suppress them. ]
would be justified in arresting some OF
the conspirators who from this city
are directing others and encouraging
rebellion"
President Palma spoke feelingfy OF
his devotion to Cuba and his efforts
to give the people just government.
81 have given my life to Cuba" be
said, "and sought no personal gain,
1 shall leave the presidency with no.
mere fortune than 1 had before, and
receive nothing from the government
but my salary, every cent of which
spend to represent the Office with dig
nity."
Little Fighting Reported.
No fighting of consequence is report,
ed. The principal engagement report,
ed is one in which Colonel Vale, com.
manding a force which sailed a week
ago from Cienfuegos, encountered al
Cumanayuga, Santa Clara province.
force of insurgents, whom he scattered,
taking ten prisoners, arms and horses,
The insurgents in Havana and Pinal
del Rio province continue to respect
American properties. One of Asbert's
bands, who had taken horses, COWS and
hogs from an American dairy farm
near Havana, returned all the horses,
paid $500 for the hogs and apologized
Near Bahia Honda band Of 800 took
all the horses on neighboring planta.
tions, except those of Americans, de,
claring they would not molest Ameri.
can property unless they found the
Cuban government was defeating
them, whereupon they would destroy
enough to compel the United States to
intervene. In Santa Clara, however,
properties of Americans and Spaniards
in the Manicaragua district have been
robbed and damaged by insurgents.
Asbert, the insurgent commander,
was seriously wounded in the ankle In
the encounter with Colonel Estrampes'
volunteers near Guines.
A band of insurgents is supposed to
be between Santiago and Guantanamo.
Ma,A, larea~< 1 orae R,.rs.&