The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1906-09-20
PALMA WOULD RESIGN
Tells Secretary Taft He viii
Leave Presidency In Case of
New Elections.
BOTH SIDES PRESENT CASE

Leaders Of Moderates and Liberals
Hold Conferences With President
Roessvsits Envoy-katter Says fiis
MlssIen In Cuba VIII Require Ton
Dayss Time-More Marines Landed.
Havana, Sept. 20.-President Palma
told Secretary Taft In a long confer
ence at the palace here that If new
elections were compelled in Cuba by
the ipsurreetion or American interven-
tien he would resign the presidency.
President Palma reviewed the vari-
GUS aspects of the electoral problem
In Cuba. Asked whether the govern
ment had taken steps to affect com
promise, the president replied in the
negative, saying that the government
had limited itself to assisting the ef-
forts of the veterans
Secretary Taft then asked If any rev.
olutionary demands had been directly
affected by these negotiations. Presi-
dent Palma said in reply that the pro-
gramme Of the revolutionists included
the absolute annulment of the last
elections.
President Paima's Plan.
Referring to the efforts being made
to bring about peace, President Palma
said that he had left that matter to the
political parties. On receipt of Presi-
ident Roosevelt's letter the government
had limited itself to suspension of hos
tilities. The president added that in
bis Judgment congress should pass an
electoral law which would amply guar
antee both parties; also municipal
election law under which elections
would be held next January, the gov
ernment to preserve strict impartial
lily.
and the Liberal parties have submit
ted to the American envoys their re
spective statements of the facts lead
Ing up to the revolution and the con-
duet of the belligerents.
Wants Gomez Released.
Senator Alfredo Zayas, president of
the Liberals, related to Secretary Taft
the efforts he had made for the relief
Of Liberals arrested as conspirators,
and Mr.. Taft informed him that Presi-
dent Palma had stated that the prison
ers under Indictment would be released
under bail. Senator Zayas said it was
imperative that Jose Miguel Gomez
ana others of the prisoners should as
sist In the peace negotiations.
Gonzalez Munoz editor of the Span
ish edition of the Havana Post, an
American newspaper, was arrested on
account Of his publication Of an edi-
torial article criticising the govern
ment. In addition to his journalistic
work Senor Munoz also is private sec
retary to General Freyre, speaker of
the house of representatives. Members
of the cabinet said that Senior Munoz,
who is Spaniard, should be deported
as pernicious foreigner.
Rebels Not Afraid of Roosevelt.
It Is stated that General Asbert, one
of the insurgent leaders. has sent a let
ter to President Roosevelt giving his
reasons for the revolution and adding
that IL the president does not agree to
new general election supervised by a
United States commission the revelu-
tionists will continue the war. The let
ter is alleged to say that the insurgents
do not fear the United States army and
that the Liberals could raise an army
of 10000 men,
Secretary Taft has stated that 1t Is
evident that the mission upon which
he came would require more time than
he had anticipated before his arrival
He estimated that ten days would be
required to complete his errand, but
he could not say whether or not il
would be necessary to visit insurgent
camps or other cities.
A detachment Of 300 rural guards
has been sent to Marianao, where
Messrs Taft and Bacon are staying
which hitherto has not been especial.
~ protected
Marines Landed at cienfuegos.
Detachments OF marines and sailors
from United States warships have been
landed at Cienfuegos for the protec-
tion Of the Soledad, Constancia and
Hormiguero, American sugar estates
No developments have been reported
The city is fairly quiet.
The first overt act by revolutionists
in eastern Cuba was committed when
fifty armed and mounted men under
Captain Vincente Costa and Lieuten-
ant Francisco Salmon entered the
town Of Firmeza, twenty miles east
of Santiago, where the Juragua iron
mines are located, and seized dyna-
mite and blasting batteries.
Funston Nav Command In Cuba.