The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-09-30
Proclamation Kills Cuban SoV- efsignty and All is Ptaco-
 fuI on the Island
ROOSEVELT ORDERS ARMY
 DISPATCHED IMMEDIATELY
Palma Seems Relieved to Be Rid of Responsibility of Trying to Rule the Turbulent Re-
 public.

Washington, September 29.-The war de-
 partment received from President Roose- welt the instructions to send 5000 troops to Cuba Immediately. The expedition will go from Newport News as planned by the general staff.
 Havana, September 29-With far less
 ostentation than accompanies the access
 sion of a new municipal administration the government of Cuba was formally
 taken over today by William H. Taft l Secretary of War of the United States
 who in proclamation couched in a kind ly and diplomatic tone indicative of the policy he would pursue, declared himself provisional governor of the island
 Promptly at noon Governor Taft, As
 sistant Secretary of State Bacon and
 Captain Mccoy, Governor Tafts aide de
 camp, called officially at the palace and | paid their respects to the retiring Pres ident Ignoring President Palmas mes
 sage to Congress on Friday in which he
 wrongly interpreted the mission of Amer
 ican mediators, Governor Taft spoke
 kindly to Senor Palma to whom he said
 the people of Cuba owed an unquestion-
 able debt of gratitude.
 Palma Feels Relieved.
 President Palmas brief reply was de-
 voted entirely to an expression of relief
 for the opportunity of shifting the bur
 den of guiding the tempestrous republic
 to the representatives of nation strong
 enough to enforce control over it. The fact that the government changed hands
 from a position of absolute independ-
 ence to the restraint of temporary pro-
 tectorate was received by the masses
 with utter indifference. Most of the re-
 fined and thoughtful cubans while they feel certain sensitiveness over the loss
 of the islands sovereignty, are inclined to hope that the United States protecto-
 rate will be brief.
 A Cuban returning to Havana today after a brief absence would not have
 recognized from the general attitude of the people that the form of government
 had been altered. Business continued the
 same, except for the vigor exhibited by
 the wholesale merchants, manufacturers
 and railroads to regain their former trade
 throughout the island, which has been
 at standstln since the beginning of the
 revolution six weeks ago.
 Taft Careful of Feelings. Although 1t was known Friday that an
 American provisional government could
 not be avoided, and despite the fact that it became reality today, the last twen- | ty-four hours have been the most quiet | since the arrival of President Roosevelt s
 mediators ten days ago. Governor Taft,
 with true appreciation of the seriousness Of the Cuban people, was careful in talk ing up his new duties, and abstained from
 any act that might have been construed i by them as humiliating His decision not
 to lower the flag of the republic was
 taken on his own responsibility, as Friday
 night he was unable to get into communi-
 cation with President Roosevelt because
 of defect in the wireless apparatus on the vessel on which the President was
 proceeding to Provincetown Mass. Ha felt certain, however, that President Roose- velt's friendship for Cuba would prompt him to approve this act of kindness to the browen republic.
 The Proclamation. Governor Taft's proclamation was as follows:
 'To the People of Cuba:
 "rhe failure of Congress to act on the irrevocable resignation of the President
 of the republic of Cuba or to elect a sue
 cessor leaves the country without gov ernment at the time when great disorder
 prevails and requires that, pursuant to | the request of Mn Palma, the necessary
 steps be taken in ti.e name and by the au- | 41.- a..4 ,F AA IT.,tf fnd | States to restore order and protect life | and property in the island of Cuba, and
 the lands and keys 'djacent thereto, and | for this purpose to establish therein a
 provisional government
 '.The provisional government hereby es- l tablished will be maintained only long | enough to restore order, peace and public l confidence by direction of and the name of the President of the Uni States and I then to hold such electid as may be | necessary to determine z7 those persons
 upon whom the permanenY overnhent of the republic should be de' lved. Insofar | as is consistent with the Il ure Of a pro- | visional government eseabn- ed under the authority of the United States, this will | be a Cuban government, conforming with | the constitution of Cuba. The Cuban flag will be hoisted, as usual, over the govern
 ment buildings of the island all the ex- ecutive departments. and provincial and municipal governments, including that of the city of Havana, will continue to be administered as under the Cuban republic the courts will continue to administer jus
 tice, and all the laws not in their na- ture inapplicable by reason of the tenn
 porary and emergency character of the government, will be in force.
 "President Roosevelt has been most anx- ious to bring about peace under the con- sttutional government of Cuba, and he made every endeavor to avoid the present
 step Longer delay, however, would be dangerous in view of the resigation of the cabinet.
 Until further notice the heads of all the departments of the central government
 will report to me for instructions, includ- ing Gen Alexandra Rodriguez. in com
 mand of the rural guards and other regu- lar government, forces. and Gen. Carlos | Roloff treasurer of Cuba.
 "Intil further notice the civil govern ors and alcaldes will also report to me for instructions
 "I ask all the citizens and residents of Cuba to assist me in the work of restor-