Omaha daily bee., 1906-09-13

WhiiS ShleiliB lne
WASHINGTON, Sept. u. - President
Roosevelt is keenly alive to the progress
of the revolutionary movements In cuba
and the responsibility of the United states
in case the conditions grow worse and in
tervention becomes necessary. 1t Is known
that the president will not intervene un-
less II appears absolutely necessary, yet
steps have been taken which would make
such intervention effective. The ships that
have been sent TO Cuba are there for the
purpose only of protecting American inter-
ests and furnishing asylum for Americans
who may be in danger from the warning
factions. Actual Intervention would mean
the use of the army and all the available
forces would, no doubt, be needed and will
be ready IL serious situation develops,
Under present conditions the army has
been kept In a better state of preparation
than ever before and will be ready If
called upon. Correspondence between the
president, the secretary of war and General
Bell chief of stan, has provided for all
contingencies 1t is recognized that inter-
vention would be no holiday matter, but
that an army would necessary and in
case of intervention every available man
of the regular army will be used and will
be sent to Cuba as fast as possible. AL.
though no regular transports are available
on the Atlantic coast Il is known where
transports can be obtained as soon as
needed.
Two Warships Ordered TO Havana.
President Roosevet's policy of prepared
ness for emergency in Cuba SO far as inn
mediate preparation of warships is con-
cerned was announced at the State depart
ment today. 1t includes the arrival at Ha-
vana tonight of the cruiser Denver and the
gunboat Marietta at Cienfuegos some time
tomorrow. The cruiser Des Moines will
remain at Key West until further orders
In making public these facts. Acting Sec
retary of State Bacon said that there Mas !
no dispositIon ON tho part OF this govern
ment to make demonstration In Cuban
waters, but the Instruction had attained
such proportions it had become necessary
to take steps for the protection OF Ameri-
can interests in Cuba. The department be-
lieVes that for the present the Denver will
be sufficient for all needs along the north
crn coast of Cuba and the Marietta for the
southern coast.
The exchange of messages between the
State department and Mr.. Sleeper, charge
at Havana, and other American represen-
tatives in Cuba, which are supposed to
have told of conditions requiring that
prompt action be taken TO safeguard
Americans and their property, will not be
discussed by officials of either the State
or Navy departments 1t is admitted, how
ever, that all these messages have been
forwarded upon their receipt to Presi-
dent Roosevelt at Oyster Bay who for
several weeks has personally directed the
policy OF the United States concerning the
Cuban outbreak.
Ordered 10 Cuba by wireless.
In
portant incident concerning the orders to
the Denver. After the maneuvers In Long
Island. the Denver proceeded to New
London. Conn, for coal. sailing on Sat
urday for Norfolk, Va. In the meantime
conditions in Cuba seemed to demand that
war vessel Immediately proceed to
Havana and the Denver was the only one
available. Under orders from Oyster Bay
it was reached at sea by wireless cipher
dispatch and changing its course, headed
directly for Havana. Nothing was made
public concerning this order until today.
The gunboat Marietta was at Mole Christi.
attached TO the West Indian squadron. 1t
has just been ordered to proceed up the
southern coast of Cuba TO Cienfuegos.
where it will be stationed until further
orders. The program for the Des Moines
does not call for it to proceed to Cuban
waters and It is said 1t probably will be
used in preventing ilibustering expeditions
from the United States embarkinE to
Cuba.
In spite of the sudden activity Of this
government 1t is declared there is no in
tention to take any part in the conflict
beyond that demanded by the critical
situation in which Americans have been
placed in the island. That the president
has considered the ultimate possibility of
Intervention or at least the use OF force
in safeguarding the interests of this gov
ernment there can be no doubt. This Is
shown by the fact that the Navy depart
ment has been called upon for statement
for the number Of marines might be
available in the event OF trouble There
are between 600 and 100 marines now in
the vicinity of the West Indies. They are
scattered through Santo Domingo, Porto
Rico and Culebra islands and some are on
the Isthmus of Panama.