Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-14

noon.
Disarmament Joke.
Then the work of entraining the horses
began. 1t was a slow process. and many
of the horses baked a long time before
they would go up the gangplank. They
were packed closely in the car. each car
carrying from eight to ten horses. About
IL o'clock all hands stopped for break
fast, which was obtained in a cafe near
houses in the vicinity, the rebels tying
their horses on the veranda while they
enjoyed their meal Others remained in
the saddle and ate their breakfast, such
as 1t was. After a rest of more than an
hour the entraining of the horses was
begun again and was still going on when
Pine returned in the afternoon. Toward
nightfal the last of the horses was oil
wheels and the long cattle trains had
left the little town, soon to be followed
by. the soldiers trains. Owing to the
lack OF cars many cattle cars had to be
used for coaches and were fitted with
rough benches. We started back for Ha-
vana about o'clock that evening, just as
Pine was again coming into the little
town to look over the ground and give
some directions about the arrangements
for the next days program. which was to
consist OF disarming the rebels. Because
of the delay In getting the horses ship
ped none of the troops got out that day,
and consequently none Of the arms was
laid down.
Among the troops the laying down of the
arms was regarded as a Joke. They smiled
when asked IL they intended surrendering
their arms and said that those whose weap-
ons had been supplied by the leaders might
be returned, but that IL man carried
gun when he took to the woods he would
carry it home.
This is my own rife" said the American
Rough Rider. land I'd like to see the man
that can take It from without him and me
being all over the ground in two minutes.
That's the way all of them fellows feel.
They amt going to give up their rifles;
they'll bury them first.
So It was the next day; out of between
five and six hundred men about one hun
dred and forty rifles were obtained, and OF
that number less than six were in such
endangering the life of the man daring
enough to shoot them. As the troops
marched by the men whom saw the day
before carrying rifles or carbines today car
ried only machetes. Their arms had been
hidden in the meantime to be recovered at
the first opportunity.
Treating Them Tenderly.
Disbanding rather than disarming Is what
Governor Taft is endeavoring to bring about
without friction, but he realizes the danger
in the situation created by the rebels who
have broken faith and refused to deliver
up their guns. Probably only a small per-
diers. but they would be used for purposes
Of brigandage and in frightening peaceable
citizens throughout the country. What fs
the motive of the rebels in refusing to turn
over their guns? Is it merely bit of senti-
ment or the realization that sooner or later
they will again be taking to the woods and
will then have need Of their guns? Herein
lies the situation. % g.
Doubtless to many outside of Cuba 1t ap-
pears strange that nearly 5000 troops should
be asked for by Secretary Taft when the
disbanding Of the troops has been accom-
plished SO quietly. 1t should be realized
that the disbanding has not been &C.
companied except in a small percentage OF
instances by disarming. The soldiers are
needed to garrison the larger towns OF the
island-Havana. Santiago. Cienfuegos. Man
xaniilo. Camaguey and others-Where they
will be CHARTERED in barracks and stand
by prepared to meet any emergency The
policing of the interior and small towns
will be left as far as practicable to the
rural guards. an organization in which
Secretary Taft places considerable con-
fidence. These men and the city police Of
Havana and several towns are the only
Cubans who have not been disbanded. The
militia who were recruited by the gov
eminent, many OF the extra policemen In
the smaller towns. and the newly recruit
ed members OF the rural guard are being
disbanded as rapidly as are the rebel
forces. Sporadic outbreaks are certain
to occur and there Will be clashes between
the disbanded militia and rebels
The putting down of these disturbances
and the protection of life and property
against sneak thieves and bandits will be
the work of the American soldiers in Cuba
this winter, assisted by the rural guard So
far from being overanxious about the situa-
ton. 1t is the belief of conservative citi-
zens here that Secretary Taft has taken
most hopeful view of the future in. Or
dering only about 5000 soldiers to Cuba
at this time. They do not know, however,
that for the next six or eight months the
army will be kept ready to throw into
Cuba on short notice a force of 10000
men. For Secretary Taft is not a man
to be deceived by surface indicat ons.
WILLIAMS.