Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-18
TAFT TALKS OF
RESULT OF TRIP
DOWN IN CUBA.
Does Not Believe Cubans viii
Resume HostiIities. 4
STAY OF THE TROOPS
Its Duration Will Depend Upon the
Natives Themselves.
WHY FUNSTON WAS SUMMONED
Needed for Consultation in Peace
Negotiations-win Be Given
Good Command. a.,
Its Duration Will Depend Upon the
Natives Themselves.
WHY FUNSTON WAS SUMMONED

Secretary Taft resumed his duties at tho
War Department today, after an hours
conference with the President, and found
| great accumulation of matter requiring
his attention. The first business how
ever, was to give the orders necessary to
carry into effect the plans he had formed
relative to Cuba, which had received the
approval of the President, and for that
| purpose he spent some time with Assistant
Secretary Oliver. General Barry. acting
chief of staff, and General Sharpe, COM
| missary general.
The Secretary, in answer to questions
| touching the result of his mission to Cuba
and the prospects for the political future
Of that island, said, in substance, that sue
| cess had been attained in one important
| point at least. namely, the fighting had
been stopped and he did not believe that it
would be renewed even after the with
drawal of the American forces.
1t had ben a difficult and dangerous sit
uation for time. for the commission had
| had to deal with an undisciplined force Of
perhaps 10000 men under arms, and scat
tered about the island. making 1t difficult
to reach them directly.
Why Funston Was Summoned.
The real purpose Of summoning General
Funston to Cuba was to have him assist
in that work for which he was peculiarly
qualified. owing to his acquaintance with
| many of the leading spirits on both sides
and in which he was entirely successful.
| There had never been any intention, said
| Secretary Taft, of placing him In command
of the entire United States forces, and
when his work was done In connection
with the cessation of active hostlities he
| returned to the United States, according
| to the original plan. A mark of the favor
Mt 10 nnf xxynR tn hH md tn, fho
fact that General Funston was to be placed
in command of entire division of the
army, although only a brigadier generalS-
which Is without precedent. He will be
assigned to command of the southwestern
division, with headquarters at st. Louis, in
stead of at Oklahoma City, as at present,
and the Headquarters Of the northern d.
vision, commanded by General Greedy, will
be transferred from ST. Louis to Chicago.
The territorial limits of the division are
not changed
Gen. Bell to Remain.
Secretary Taft said that he was anxious
to have Gen. Bell return to Washington as
soon as possible, he was much needed
here in connection with important business
OF the general staff. But that officer had
worked SO long and well with him (Secre-
tary TafD in the Philippines in the solu-
ton of precisely such problems as now
confront us in Cuba. He spoke Spanish
methods Of doing business with such people
the Cubans so thoroughly that the Sec
rotary felt that he was the best representa-
tive he could have in Cuba at present. But
he hoped that 1t would be possible to re-
call him to Washington In the course of q
month or two.
The report that Gen. Pershing would sue
coed him in command OF the American
forces in Cuba was erroneous according to
Secretary Taft, as the command was too
important for the junior brigadier general.
While no decision has been reached as to
the succession, the names Of Gems. Whit and
Duvall had been under consideration, and
either would make capable commanders.
Stay Of the Troops in Cuba.
The Secretary preserved his usual atti-
tude when the question Of the length of
time of the stay of United States forces
In Cuba was brought up. and said that IL
was not possible now to make any predic-
ton. When the bad feelings stirred up by
the revolution had subsidized and there was
ample assurance that elections could be
had without violence and with fair-deal.
ing on all sides and with a disposition to
abide loyalty by the results of such efec-
tons on all sides, then and not before
would the conditions mentioned in his proc
lamation issued in Havana be at hand and
the retirement of the military forces be in
order. Certainly they would not retire be-
fore the election, for it would be necessary
to watch these to make sure that they
were fairly conducted.
In answer to the question as to how long
1t would take to install the new govern
ment after the elections, the Secretary said
that he believed that three four weeks
would suffice.
To Withdraw 1000 Marines.
Relative to the disposition of the MILL
tary and naval forces in Cuba he said that
it had been decided to withdraw as soon
possible number of marines now in the
island.
There is a force there now of about 2.4OO
marines and all but about 400 perhaps were
to be withdrawn. most of them returning
to the navy yards and stations whence they
had come. The few retained in Cuba would
be particularly useful in towns and ports
off the railways, but not in the interior of
the country. Some had been sent to the
Isle of Pines. AS thesmarnes were called
away they would be replaced by soldiers
and indeed the number of these, originally
fixed at 5000 men, would probably be in
creased to about 1000. The Secretary de-
clined to state what proportion, If any,
Of the expense of the Cuban pacifcation
army would be charged against the Cuban
revenues, but said that matter would. be
treated in special order, which he would
soon issue. Also he remarked that he
would make written report to the Presi-
dent of the result Of his work In Cuba and
indeed had intended to prepare this on his
northward trip. but was prevented ,. ny me
Louisiana was tossed about like cork in
two violent storms, the worst she has yet
experienced since her launching, and even
the plate glass front of the quartermaster'
stern tower on the bridge and several ven-
tilators was smashed in by the water which
the ship took over her bow.
There was no longer need for maintain
ing a naval force OF any amount in Cuban
waters, so he had recommended to the
President, who bad approved the srgges-
ton. that all OF the warshfps now there b