Omaha daily bee., 1906-09-17
Will Try to Reach Agreement Before
Secretary Taft Arrives
ATTEMPT TO HEAD OFF INTERVENTION
Government Consults with Insurgent
Leaders in Jail.
TAFT PAR STARTS FOR TAMPA
Secretary of war and Assistant secrs-
tary Bacon Leave wash
inEton sunday After
noon.
9TH PARTIES READY TO stTTLE

inEton sunday After
HAVANA, Sept. 16--The government this
evening Is making final strenuous efforts
to restore peace I'm Cuba and thus avoid
any kind OF American Intervention The
object OF these endeavors. Il is stated Is
that II may be able to say by the time
Secretary OF War Taft and Acting secre-
tary of State Bacon arrive that peace al
ready has been secured and that therefore
there is no need for the American gov
ernment's Intervention either to restore
peace or insure permanent tranquility.
Members OF the government informed the
Associated Press that they are making
the efforts in accordance with the advice
contained in President Roosevelt's letter;
that they have no objection to the friendly
assistance OF the United States in the mat
ter IL It becomes necessary. but that they
believe they can settle II between the gov
ernment and the revolutionists without the
necessity OF any Intervention. At least,
they say. they are making an attempt to
accomplish this end unaided. and with fair
prospects of success.
Text of the Decree.
This is the latest phase OF a rapidly
changing situation that developed late this
afternoon when an extraordinary gazette
was issued containing decree signed by
President Palma on the recommendation
OF the Secretary of Public Works Montalvo.
The decree follows:
All campaign operations are suspended
and in consequence the government forces
will act only on the defensive throughout
the republic, The secretary OF the interior
will issue all the necessary orders for the
execution OF this decree.
The decree caused great surprise. as Il
was believed to signify change of heart
by the government officials who for the
past two days have been strongly against
taking UP peace overtures with the ennis
saries OF the revolutionists. The Associated
Press learns that today's action had its
beginning by General Menocal's renewed
effort in visiting Secretary Montalvo and
urging him TO make the strongest possible
endeavor to induce President Palma to
comply with President Roosevelt's advice
and avoid the consequences of intervention
by requesting truce and endeavoring to
have the Cubans themselves come to an
agreement. .ss-
PSisoners Are consaitea.
Secretary Montalvo and General Meuoesi
first visited Jose Miguel Gomez and otners
of the alleged conspirators in the prison
and found them willing to cooperate In
securing peace. The basis OF peace was
not discussed in any detail. but Secretary
Montalvo returned to the palace and urged
President Palma to consider the matter.
The president called a conference for this
afternoon. which was attended by the min
listers. Vice President Capote, General
F'reyre Andrade ana Senator Dolce. The
result Of the conference was the issuance
of the decree suspending governmental
campaign operations. After the decree
was issued government emissaries were
dispatched I'm automobiles to confer with
the revolutionists. General Menocal, ao-
companled by Congressman Goblin and Gar
oia Vieta, the youngest son OF calixto
Garcia, drove in the direction where Al
fredo Zayas was encanped with Castillo's
forces not far from Santiago de Las Vegas.
and the others went to Guansjay, which
place this afternoon was occupied by big
band of revolutionists- Congressman
Campos Marquette. The latter had Mayor
Gales the two hundred volunteers defend
ing the town, cooped up In carcel and
surrounded by a swarm Of insurgents The
mayor up to this evening had defied Cam
pos Marquett and was still holding out
when the peace emissaries arrived. Mean
while Csmpos Marquetti was threatening
to blow up the carcel with dynamite.
Attitude of Government.
General Freyre Andrade, when asked
about the terms discussed at the confer
ence with the revolutioDists. said that the
matter had not gotten far enough along
to discuss actual peace terms The con-
ferees had only touched them informally,
he declared, but one thing was certain that
the government would never agree TO annul
constitutional elections and that contention
must be eliminated from the claims of the
revolutlonists. He thought there was rea-
SON to believe the government and the hos
| tile element could get together on terms,
although this as yet was uncertain. Those
who had been sent TO confer with the revo-
lutionists carried passes for themselves and
/ as many of the revolutionists as they
| chose to bringe TO the city.
The general said the government appre.
ciated the friendly efforts Of the United
States. and would avail itself OF them II
Its own efforts were unsuccessful. but
naturally it preferred to settle the trouble
without Intervention.
Thirty Prisoners Liberated.
simultaneously with the issuance OF the
decree declaring a cessation OF hostilitles,
the special judge in charge OF the cases
against the alleged conspirators in prison
and prisoners recently captured liberated
thirty OF the latter against whom indlct-
ments had been issued Meanwhile a war
rant was issued for Felpex Romero,
wealthy young Cuban who has been repre-
senting the revolutionists In various errands
TO Commander Colwell OF the United States
cruiser Denver. and who is charged with
] being the recipient Of communication from
| the New York revolutionary junta. But
now that hostilities have been suspended
It IL probable that no arrest will be made.
According to Commander Colwell. Alfredo
Zeyas asked for immunity aboard the Den
yer. on which he had hoped to be able to
/ go to the United States.
! Previous to this afternoons developments
the situation had about resolved itself into
condition where the liberals were declar-
ing that II the United States assisted the
administration they would night the IN
( tervening forces. while the moderates were
saying that II the interventionists helped to
! depose President Palma they would become
/ insurgents. The cessation Of hostilities has
checked such talk altogether
Move Creates surprise.
The new situation was received At the
hotels and the clubs with blank ssyQA1e