New-York tribune., 1906-09-27
CUBA COMES TO TERMS.
MODER4TES BACK DOWN.
Palma Nay Not Resign-Ame1cans
DenOunced-Peace EnUoyS Named.


Havana. Sept. 2c-The Moderates agreed at
meeting this afternoon 10 appoint committee
10 negotiate terms Of peace with a committee OF
the rebels and Liberals. leaving all points upon
which no agreement IS reached to the arbitra-
tion OF the American commissioners. The Mod
crates abandoned the condition that the rebels
must first lay down their arms before negotia-
tions can begin.
Describing the situation. Secretary Taft gave
a brief summary Of the negotiations leading up
70 the present status. He said:
The AIoderates yesterday determined TO force
American intervention by the resignation Of gov
ernment officers, thus leaving affairs in our
hands. President Palma chose to regard our
suggestions as a demand, and he rejected them
emphatically. To-day we acquainted Alfredo
Zayas, the Liberal leader, with the situation,
and he undertook 10 induce his associates TO con-
sent 10 the original proposition Of the Moderates'
namely, that the insurgents lay down their arms
and submit the entire controversy 10 the Aineri-
can commission, but the rebel commanders and
men in the field suspected insincerity on the part
of the government and declined The Negro in
surgents especially insisted on retaining their
arms until peace was assured.
Zayas's report IS indicative of future trouble
with the lawless element OF the rebels. feel
certain that a settlement or the trouble is pos
eibie cnly along the lines suggested by US. After
an exhaustive investigation we informed both
the Moderates and the Liberals that unless they
were willing TO listen TO reason the United
States must enforce a settlement ] told them
that proclamation would be issued establishing
O military government IN the island but that
this would continue only so long necessary TO
restore order and insure the holding Of new and
fair general elections. made # plain that this
military government would surrender the con-
duct OF affairs 10 the persons fairly elected
soon as they could fairly establish themselves.
This uitfmatum was received by Senores Men
eez. Capote and Dolz. for the Moderates. and
Zayas. for the liberals and insurgents What
ever the outcome OF the negotiations between
she Liberals and the Moderates may be, 1t is
felt here that there will be need for all the
American marines within reach. as there IS
little confidence in the ability of the rebel lead
ers 20 control their men when ordered 10 give
up their arms and return 10 their homes.
Asked why It had been decided to send federal
Forces 10 Cuba. Secretary Taft said that this
was in anticipation OF probable trouble. He
added that If necessary landings would be made
not only at Havana and Cienfuegos. but at
other points in order police the entire island.
The meeting was held at the residence of
Sefior Dolz, President of the Senate. More than
sixty persons We're present. They included
Vice-Pnesident Mendez Capote nearly all the
members Of the Cabinet and almost all the lead
ing Senators and Representatives. Many off,
GERS OF the rural guard were present in uniform.
No sooner had the meeting assembled than the
pent-up indignation against the American peace
commissioners broke forth. Several men began
tn loud voices and at the same time 10 con-
OF State. Mr.. Bacon. who were accused of hav-
sng shown partiality IN backing the rebels and
discrimination against the Moderate side of the
controversy. The speakers shouted denuncia-
lions OF the American government, and hotly
insisted that the Moderate party should appeal
20 the powers OF the world for protection against
the usurpation Of the sovereignty OF Cuba by
the United States II was said that the govern
snent forces should fight TO the death rather
than submit TO the terms insisted upon by the
rebels, and one speaker depicted the horrors Of
Negro domination, which would result, he said,
from the threatened Liberal ascendancy brought
about with the assistance OF the United States.
THE USE OF DYNAMITE URGED.
Some Of the most radical members present
asserted that the government had plenty Of
dynamite in Havana which could be used 70
precipitate international complications by means
of the destruction Of foreign property. Several
prominent men said that by using dynamite
they could bring about intervention by Germany.
perhaps by Great Britain, while others
nounced that they knew that the foreign diplo-
mats here would favor such a course 1t
argued that the destruction of the German Bank
and the damaging Of English railroad property
would soon result in European Intervention.
Certain American properties also were spscifi-
cslly mentioned open 70 such attacks. Several
Speakers said that they would prefer Germany
or Great Britain IN Cuba the United States.
This frenzy subsided after an hour and half.
snd the meeting then settled down TO consid-
Grafton OF the question whether it might not be
possible 10 reopen negotiations with the peace
commissioners. The one point upon which the
meeting unanimous was that the cardinal
condition OF he reopenine Of negotiations should
be that the Moderates insist that the commits
sioners require the rebels to lay down their arms
before proceeding 10 negotiate. After brief con-
sidera tion in which no difference Of opinion WIS
shown. IL was agreed that Senior Montalvo
should visit the American commissioners and
aoquaint them with the party's insistencs on
this condition. Sehor Montalvo went to the
American Legation and submitted this condition
10 Messrs Taft and Bacon. adding that II the
proposal was not acceptable 10 them the govern
nent forces would refuse TO lay down their arms
deliver them 10 the rebels or the commits
sioners. He reminded Secretary Taft that the
commission came 10 Cuba simply as lnediators
for the paoihcation of the island and that the
steps taken to this end by the commissioners
should be bounded by the provisions of the Gu
ban constitution. The solution proposed by the
commissioners. Sehor Montalvo asserted. was
conducive not to peace, but 20 war. as their
plan offered incentives 10 further revolution as
result Of the victory which the revoutionsts
would obtain through the action Of the commits
soners. Senior Montalvo added
Only on a basis Of Law and justice can the
koderates continue treating for peace.
In the mean time Senator Dolz had been sent
American Legation and made a proposal that
both sides appoint committees Of six TO treat for
peace but with the prior condition that the
rebels law down their arms Secretarv Taft satd