The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-23
Cuban Matter is Resolving IT,
self Into Fight Between
Whites and Blacks
BLACKS RESENT COMING
of AMERICAN VESSELS
Taft Now Has Scheme Which May
Do Away With the Use of Force,
But He Is Keeping
Plans Secret.

Havana, September 22.-Everything
hangs upon a conference that Is now pro-
ceedlng at United States Minister Mol
gan's home between Secretary of War
Taft and Assistant Secretary OF Stato
Bacon and the representatives, of the lib
eral leaders, the prisoners under arrest for
alleged conspiracy and the rebel fell COM
manders.
Since the arrangements for this mpor-
tant meeting were completed, Secretary
Taft had believed that there was fair rea-
son for expecting a favorable outcome 10
the negotiations which woule lead to
settlement without the necessity of Ame,-
lean Intervention.
Situation Considered Changed.
The situation today was considerably
changed from that of Friday as a result
of the proposal made Friday night by the
n n-oderates to accept whatever disposition
of the controversy Messrs. Taft ana Ba-
con might beside upon conditions that
the rebels surrender their arms and legal
ly promise to accept and comply with
such decision whatever it might be. Sec
retary Taft however, sees way tonight
of saving the sovereignty OF the Cuban
republic.
He admits that he has a tangible plan,
but will not disclose it's exact character.
II is not a victory for either political
party, but conteinplates radical conces-
sions by both.
The secretarys programme Il as yet
on bryonie and depends upon the patrof-
ism of the moderate and liberal leaders.
both of whom have shown confidence in
the mediators by naming delegates with
definite powers of attorney to treat for
their respective parties.
Action Considered Important.
This action by Messrs. Taft and Bacon
is regarded as the most important yet
taken. Negotiations on a new basis will
open Immediately, and 1t Is believed that
eventually the opposing delegates will be
brought together at United States Minls-
ter Morgan's villa at Marianao, with
President Roosevelts mediators as ref
erees.
This evening the unwelcome news
reached the mediators that the govern
ment had refused to release the prisoners
in order that they might attend tonights
conference, and that the prisoners them
selves had refused to accept these condi-
tions, declining absolutely to be the re-
cipients of favors from the present gov
ernment. Secretary Taft took Up the mat
ter automatically with the result that
Consul General Stenhart and Captain
Mccoy, military aide TO President Roose-
welt, drove In an automobile to the Presi-
dio here, where they saw Secretary Nom
talyo and got his consent for the release
of Jose Miguel Gomez and four others Of
the leading alleged conspirators The lat
ter returned with them TO Minister Nor
gans house. arriving there at 7:30 o'clock
this evening.
Rebel Leaders Go to Camps.
Meanwhile Machado and Ferrera, the
rebel leaders In Santa Clara province had
taken an automobile here and gone direct
to the rebel camps outside Marianao, re-
turning with General Delcastillo and Pine
Guerra respectively the leaders of the
revolt in the provinces of Havana and
Pinar del Rio, who were on horseback.
Arriving at Marianao they went to the
house of the local president of the lib
erals Paldomero lnfante, where they held
preliminary session. On the arrival OF
the prisoners from Havana all went 10
Mr.. Morgan's house and the conference
on which all persons felt rested the sue
cess of the endeavors to settle matters
without American Intervention proceeded.
Crowds Throng the Streets.
Not since the efforts at mediation began
Crowds thronged the streets surround
ing Mr.. Morgans villa and with sup
pressed excitement awaited the arrival OF
the rebel leaders. 1t was evident that the
sentiment of the village was with the
rebels, but the people feared to applaud
them.
Automobiles dashed to and from tho
villa regardless of speed limit, taking par
tlcipants TO the conference and carrying
messages. There We're similar scenes in
front OF Senior Infante's house during this
afternoon on account of the expectations
that the prisoners and the rebel leaders
would gather there. Streets were crowded
but order was maintained by the local po-
lice.
On the announcement being made that
the prisoners had refused to accept con-
d'tional release, the crowd withdrew
quietly, but roassembled again this even
ing and followed the outer evidence Of
proceedings with ayidity.
Palma May Be Retained.
The impression tonight is that the sus-
gestions of the commissioners viii include
the retention. of President Palma and per-
haps Senor Font y. Sterling. Secretary
of the Treasury. with Manuel Despaigne,
the administrator Of the customs in his
present position or in the cabinet. The
suggestion of the commissioners probably
also will include new general elections.
although there may be only an arrange
ment for electing members OF the cabinet.
the present Congress to continue until
next years congressional election.
This morning Secretaries Taft and Ba-
con, accompanied by Consul Gepera.
steinhart and Captain Mccoy came in an
automobile from Marianao to the palac
where they were in close conference with
President Palma. obtaining from him his
IDEAS as to what he was willing should
be done under the circumstances Upon
having the palace Assistant Secretary
Bacon said the formal matters of the con-