The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-27

Havana, Sept ga meeting OF the
Moderate National assembly was hastily
called yesterday afternoon to decide the
pressing question whether some way
could not yet be devised TO settle the
present difficulty without the threatened
American Intervention.
More than 60 persons were present.
They included Vice President Mendez Ca
pote. nearly all the members of the cab
met and all the leading senators and rep
resentatives. Many officers OF the rural
guards were present I'm uniform.
No sooner had the meeting assembled
than the pent-up Indignation against the
American peace commissioners broke
forth. Several men began In loud voices
and at the same time 10 condemn secre-
.tary OF War Taft and Assistant Secretary
of State Bacon, who were declared 20
have shown partiality i'm backing the reb-
els and discriro onation against the Moder-
ate side OF the controversy.
The SPEAKERS shouted denunciation Of
the American government and hotly IN
sisted that the Moderate party should
appeal TO the Powers OF the world for
protection against the usurpation OF the
sovereignty OF Cuba By the United States.
II was declared that the government
forces should fight TO the death rather
than submit 10 the terms Insisted upon
by the rebels.
TALK OF DYNAMITE.
Some OF the most radical present assert
ed that the government had plenty OF
dynamite in Havana which could be used
TO precipitate those international compli-
cations that accrue from the destruction
OF foreign property.
Several prominent men said that by us
ing dynamite they could bring about in
tervention by Germany. or perhaps by
Great Britain, while others declared
rashly that they knew that the foreign
diplomats here would favor such n course,
and II was argued that the destruction OF
the German bank and the damaging OF
English railroad property would soon re-
suit In European Intervention.
Certain American properties also were
specifically mentioned as convenient for
such attacks. Several speakers even said
that they would prefer Germany or Great
Britain In Cuba TO the United States.
FRENZY SUBSIDIES.
This ebulition OF frenzy subsded after
an hour and a half and the meeting then
settled down 10 a consideration OF the
more rational question whether IL were
not possible TO reopen the negotiations
with the peace commissioners.
The one point upon which the meeting
was unanimous was that the cardinal con-
diton OF the reopening OF negotiations
should be that Moderates insist that the
commissioners require the rebels to lay
down their arms before proceeding 10 ne
gotiate.
After a brief consideration I'm which no
difference of opinion was shown, Senior
Montalvo proceeded 20 the American le-
cation and submitted this condition 10
Messrs. Taft and Bacon, adding that'if
the proposition was not acceptable 10
them the government forces would refuse
20 lay down their arms or deliver them
either TO the rebels or the commissioners.
PROPOSITION PRESENTED.
In the meantime Senator Dolz had been
sent for by Secretary Taft. He appeared
at the American legation and made the
following proposition, requesting the opin-
ion OF the commissioners thereon:
'That both sides appoint committees OF
six 10 treat for peace, but with the prior
condition that the rebels lay down their
arms"
Secretary Taft approved OF this with
the exception that IL was unfair TO make
the rebels lay down their arms before the
acceptance Of both parties of n formal
agreement TO abide by the terms Of the
ultimate decision. Senator DOLE returned
20 the assembly and reported the result of
his efforts.
At the resumption OF the meeting and
after hearing and hastily discussing the
views OF Secretary Taft. the assembly
precipitately receded from its previous
contention that the rebels must lay down
their arms before negotiations could be
rsopened, and resolved TO notify Secretary
Taft that they would appoint a commit
tee OF six TO meet a similar committee
from the Liberals TO negotiate peace
terms, leaving ALL points upon which no
agreement was reached to the arbitration
ef-the American commissioners.
II was agreed that at the extraordinary
session OF congress called for next Friday,
the resignation Of President Palma would
be tabled pending these negotiations. with