The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-09-15
CUBA THE TOPIC.
Affairs of Island Interest All 0fnciaIs
 i'm Washington.


 Washington, Sept. 14.-Cuba Is the sole topic of conversation in that part of official Washington which is deal ing with the disturbed situation in the island republic.
 The State Department. upon instruc- tions from Oyster Bay. is directing the policy of the Government in the pres- ent crisis, the Navy Department Is fur ntshinE the force to carry out the policy and the War Department Is ready for any part 1t may be asked to take If intervention is decided upon. The policy of the Government is shown In the order to withdraw from 1 Havana all forces save such as may
 be accommodated in the American le
 gation and which remains as a lega- | tion guard.
 To have allowed force of more than | 100 blue Jackets to camp around the palace of the President of Cuba 1t was believed could not be construed other wise than taking sides in favor of the Palma Government, as such a force
 would protect him in his present posi-. | ticn.
 Strict neutrality between the war ring factions hut with every possible 1 precaution to protect American life and property Is the policy of the United States. The navy acting under order also from the Pr esident is ready and preparing to furnish such force as may be necessary to carry out the policy If ships already in Cuban wa | ters are not sufficient, others will be despatched. These ships which were destined for duty elsewhere and were leisurely outhtting for cruise in Dominican waters have been rushed and will soon report.
 There are other vessels available and almost in readiness for sailing. The landing of 120 sailors by Com mander Colwell. and the subsequent withdrawal of nearly the entire force on orders from Washington, has caused considerable comment. but it Is as-
 serted that no reflection on the officer Is involved in the action taken here. Under the instructions which he re- ceived when he departed for Cuba. he was to put his force at the disposal of the State Department authority m
 Cuba which was vested in the person
 of Charge Sleeper.
 His action in landing a force was at
 the request of the American charge. and
 it Is pointed out at the Navy Depart ment that no officer could refuse a re- quest of this kind coming from an American legation ,n a foreign coun-
 try.
 It Is admitted by officials here that late last night a long cablegram in cipher was ~TtttiNbu rum AVllllNfhh CoIwell of the Denver dealing with the stirring events of the day in Ha- yana. The officials refused any in- formation as to the details of the dis Latch. It Is believed. however, that | 1t shows clearly that the naval officer was acting entirely within his lnatruc- lions in landing his sailors, and If there | Ia any disposition to question the pro- priety or that action the responsibility must rest upon MT. Sleeper. the Ameri can charge, fof the Denvsr's fore were placed entirely at his command It Is also believed that the dispatch contains the proposition referred to in the news from Havana from Presi dent Zayas of the Liberal Party and General Castillo to surrender to Com n,ander Colwell. with all their forces
 provided they are assured a fair trial l This, however. being an essential dip llomatic matter would naturally be de- cided by the President at the confer
 ynce which Is to take place at Oyster
 Bay today.
 The big triple screw cruiser Minne-