The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-28
General Belief is That Taft
VIII Proclaim Himself GoV-
ernor Within "a Hours
MARINES ARE SHORT AND
NAVY CALLS FOR MORE MEN.
Palma's Resignation viii Not Be Ac-
cepted BY Cuban Congress, But
Even This VIII Not Relieve
the Situation.

Havana. September 27.-The moderate
party tonight decided to make final er-
fort to perpetuate the authority of the
| Palma administration by determining to
reject the resignation of the president
when presented to congress tomorrow.
When this decision was reached Secretary
of War Taft and Assistant Secretary of
State Bacon, the American commission
ers, had already concluded to intervene,
but they agreed to await tomorrows de-
velopments as they are anxious to afford
the Cubans every opportunity to work out
their own salvation.
President Palma steadfastly refuses
every solicitation of his friends to with
draw his resignation. Typical of this was
the eablegram he sent to President Roose-
welt In response to the final urgent tee-
gram from the American President that he
remain at his helm In this President
Palma expressed his warmest apprecla-
tion of President Roosevelts efforts to
secure peace for Cuba. and the friendship
he has always shown the Cuban people.
He referred to his own previous sacrifices
for Cuba. which he said had not been
made in violation but in the present stua-
tion. and in view of all that had trans
pired he felt that further sacrf-de on his
part would be useless, and that it was
not consistent with his dignity and pres
tige to remain In office.
Intervention Most Probable.
Were 1t possible to induce President
Palma to withdraw his resignation. tho
situation still would be most difficult and
Intervention would continue to be the most
probable outcome.
| If Palma's resignation were accepted, il
would then become necessary for congress
to elect a provisional president Such an
election would be a new subject of con-
tentlon. not only between the opposing
political parties but probably between the
opposing factions within these parties.
The American commissioners will not
brook the establishment of a provisional
government by the Cubans simply as a
means of gaining time They hold that If
provisional government is created. 1t must
be by the United States Secretaries Taft
and Bacon would not be properly dis
charging their full duties IL such goven-
ment were created in any other manner.
Little Confidence In Intentions.
| The American commissioners have little
confidence in the seriousness of the inten-
tions of the politicians who heretofore
have been vacillating and insincere
throughout these nine days of futile nego-
| tiatons.
This being the situation, no one is in
| oIipad IN doubt toufpht that within fwap-
ty-four hours Secretary Taft. by author
| ity of the President OF the United States,
will proclaim himself provisional governor
of Cuba. Such a government, however,
would be made Cuban as far as it was
possible to do so by continuing the various
departments under the immediate control
of the present heads.
Immediate developments in the situation
depends on action taken by congress to-
morrow.
Expect to Secure Quorum.
1t Is not likely that the liberals will
attend the session, but the moderates and
the liberal natonalists combined expect
to secure a quorum. The moderate lead
ers tonight expect nothing except the in
terventon tomorrow, It being a matter Of
common report among them that armed
American forces will go ashore from the
warshlps assembled here even before the
meeting of Congress, but this will not oc-
cur unless some violent change In the sit-
uation makes IL necessary. Even should
Congress carry out It's announced intention
of not accepting President Palmas resig-
nation, Secretary Taft will hold that a
vacancy exists. unless Palma himself con-
cludes to remain In office.
In the meanwhile preparations for the
landing of marines and bluejackets from
the American warships have been fully
completed, and within n short time after
Ca. nos erftf fIta ardar
tageous points which already have been
selected by naval officers, will be occu-
pied by a force of at least 2500 men. Such
an order would not be given unless Sec
retary Taft thinks It absolutely neces-
sary but II Is certain that the presen.
conditions will not be allowed to continue
for more than one day longer.
The non-acceptance of President Pal
mas resignation and its withdrawal will
be Cubas last card.
Funston Arrives In Cuba.
Gen. Frederick Funston arrived here to-
day. He has gone over all the military
plans. approved Them and familiarized
himself with the military situation as pre-
sented by Major Ladd, who has been here
for a fortnight
Among the places visited today by Gen.
eral Funston was the rebel camp outside
of Havana. Here the American general
met Generals Guerra and Del Castillo and
other commanders OF the insurgents, some
of whom he knew during the last revolu-
tion.
The atmosphere at the palace tonight Is
decidedly gloomy. Everyb body VINO
emerged from President Palma's private
office wore a long face. Members of the
cabinet reiterated that Palma had not re-
ceded from his determination to resign in
spite OF the persuasive arguments OF his
most intimate friends. The President him
self has succumbed somewhat to nervous
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