Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-13
MAY CONFER WITH
PRESIDENT ON CUBA
Departure of the Secretary of
the Navy.
NO FRESH DEVEL LOPMEMTS
Impression Exists of Some Secret
Measures Taken.
POSSIBILITY OF INTERVENTION
Decisive Step Will Be Taken Only
When Necessary, but Will
Be Effective.
NO FRESH DEvEL L0PMENTS
Impression Exists of Some Secret
Measures Taken.
POSSIBILITY OF INTERVENTION

There were no specially significant devel-
opments in the Cuban situation today SO far
as this government is concerned, but there
Is an impression that some important
things have been done by the President and
his advisers, which have not yet been made
public It is pointed out that. the fact that
the administration had finally decided to
send fleet of warships to Cuba for the
protection of American interests did not
become known until few hours before one
of them anchored in the historic harbor of
Havana. No explanation is given in official
circles for the secrecy observed in the mat
ter, but 1t is declared that the Denver's
mission to Cuba is entirely friendly.
Secretary Bonaparte left here this after
noon for New York; and will probably go to
President regarding the naval policy in
CuI,..
Possibility of Intervention.
1t is stated that the President will not in
tervene in Cuba unless it appears absolutely
necessary, yet STEPS have been taken which
would make such Intervention effective. The
ships that have been sent to Cuba are there.
it Is stated, for the purpose Of protecting
American interests and furnishing asylum
for Americans who may be in danger from
the warning factions and for no other pur-
pose. Actual intervention would mean the
use of the army and all the available forces
would no doubt be needed and will be ready
If serious situation develops. The army is
now in better state of preparation than
ever before AS result of correspondence
between the President, the Secretary of
War and General Bell, chief of staff, the
War Department has provided for all con-
tingencies.
It is recognized that Intervention would
be no holiday" matter, but that an army
would be necessary and In event of inter-
IJrII oe -
win be sent to- Cuba as fast as possible.
Although no regular transports are avail
able on the Atlantic coast;~it is known
where transports can be obtained as soon
as needed. Secretary Taft has been cen
suited in everything that has been going
forward and the Cuban situation has been
the subject of correspondence between the
President and the Secretary.
Authority to Intervene.
Authority for the Intervention in Cuban
affairs is contained in the third article of
the Platt amendment. adopted by Congress
in the army appropriation bill of 1902,
which reads:
THAT the government of Cuba consents
that the United States may exercise the
right to intervene for the preservation of
Cuban independence, the maintenance of
a government adequate for the protection
of life, property and individual liberty, and
for discharging the obligations with re-
spect to Cuba imposed by the treaty of
Paris on the United States, now to be as
sumed and undertaken by the government
Of Cuba"
The first section of the amendment pro-
vides that the government Of Cuba shall
never enter into any treaty or other COM
pact with any foreign power or powers
which will impair or tend to impair the in
dependence of Cuba, nor in any manner
authorize or permit any foreign power or
powers to obtain by colonization or Tor mill
tary or naval purposes or otherwise lodg-
ment In Or control over any portion OF said
island"
In the joint resolution recognizing the
independence Of Cuba, approved April, 1898.
it is provided, In section 4. that the United
States hereby disclaims any disposition or
intention to exercise sovereignty, 3urisd1c-
ton or control over said island (Cuba), ex-
cept for the pacification thereof, and as
serts it's determination when that is ac-
complished to leave the government and
control of the island to its people"
I The State Department continues to re-
ceive advices from Charge Sleeper, but the
reports today only confirm what has been
re1 eived Ill the press dispatches.
Ready for Action.
While thcre are no visible activities
around the War Department, 1t Is known
that army officers are keeping ir close
touch with the developments and aie ready
for any action that may be deemed lcces-
saw by the Pre.ident. The arrira! ct the
Denver OF Havana last night has been off,
chilly IertI.ed to the Navy Department,
and it is expected that the Marietta, which
was s.ri from Santo Domingo waters to
CieufuegGs viii arrive there this eveling
or tc cm0I,Gw morning. Concerning the re-
poiis Of az t4yity at the Norfolk ya.t; in
fittI.,., out the cruisers Tacoma sn1 ficvc-
lan,i. 1t II statCu at the Navy Department
that liicy are merely carrying )ur orders
issa,i several weeks ago when they ended
the cruise with the midshipmen.< These
ships as we'll as the Des Moincs. were Or
deret to Norfolk and to be prepared Tor a
cruise in Sdnto romingo wate.s for TIE
vi pose o. rel liev ns the ships that had been
icrgest in rNict thIre. If 1t is found nee
essary to use them at Havana, or any other
place in Cuba, they will be sent there In
stead of to Santo Domingo. In view of the
situation in Cuba rush orders have been is
sued to these cruisers that they may be in
readiness for service at the earliest possi-
BILE moment.