The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-06
Fighting Has Been Practically
Suspended in the Island
CONFERENCES WILL Be HELD
Delegates Have Been Chosen Who
Will Call on Revolutionary Lead
ers and Discuss Plans of
Settlement.

Havana. September 5.-Peace is in the
air, and on all sides tonight there Is
hope that matters will be arranged be-
tween the government and the insurgents.
However there has been no tangable adj
vance toward an agreement or even nego-
tlaton. But fighting has been practically
suspended
Delegates. informally chosen by a small
group of veterans, started today to the
camps of Pine Guerra, Colonel Asbert.
General Guzman and other lnsurgent lead
ers to learn what viii be acceptable to
the fighting leaders of the revolution. A
similar committee started for Cienfuegos
to consult with insurgents In Santa Clara
province. Late this evening General Men
ocal, General Cebreco and other veterans
held conference with Alfredo zayas.
leader of the liberal party. which did not
result in an understanding. At the same
time the executive committee of the mod
crate party held a conference at which
peace was exctedly discussed
The Associated Press is informed, al
though the fact has not been made public
that the government commanders have
been directed to suspend active field op-
eratons until 1t can be determined what
can be done to end the war. The propo-
sitions, which the promoters of the peace
movement have in mind, are. generally
speaking those already noted by the As
sociated Press and include a special ses-
sion of congress to pass acts Of amnesty
for the holding of municipal election
within sixty days. and new general
election providing for minority representa-
ton in all branches of the national and
municipal governments.
Want designations.
] These propositions seem to appeal to
the public, although liberals are inclined
to demand also the resignation of all
high officials, including the President and
members of the cabinet. which the gov
ernment, of course, never can consider.
1t is feared that the demands of the In
surgent leaders in the field will be much
more exactlng than those of insurgent
sympathlzers in cities.
At the conference this afternoon Senor
Zayas rather enigmatically said that
while he was deslrous of assisting the
peace movement, he could not use his
influence unless it was to be either a
temporary peace with an opportunity to
arrange details later, or a peace pro-
cured at all costs He said that the
whole matter is a political question which
had taken the form of an armed protest.
and that II must be treated as such.
He called attention to the willingness
of the liberals, even those who were elect
ed at the last election to resign II their
opponents would do likewise, and make
IN Ia
government as a government of the peo-
pie must not be iustrageant. but must
recognize the peoples protests. The vet
erans, who are somewhat puzzled as to
the attitude of Senor Zayas, said they
would communicate with him again in
formulating more definitely the ideas they
might have to propose. Meanwhile they
urged him to fully consult with the liberal
leaders.
The consultation Of the executive COM
mittee of the moderate party was at
tended by nine members. There was a
wide divergence of views expressed. None
of them were willing to concede anything
approaching what the liberals talk of de-
manding
Talk Matters over.
General Menocal and his associates,
however, by no means regard their ef-
forts as hopeless. The moderate leaders
tonight say they have done nothing as
vet but talk matters over a Mite lt lS
evident, however, that some of them
clearly realize the necessity of at least
a sembance of an effort to bring about
peace, no matter how strong the gov
ernment may feel. since they do not wish
the party to take the responsibility or
pressing the issue to further bloodshed
and other disasters Of war. The liberals.
If they agree to anything, will want
some form of assurance for the carrying
out of pledges which will satisfy their
party and inducing those In active IN
stirrection to lay down their arms.
General Menocal today visited Jose
Miguel Gomez and all the other alleged
consplrators who are In prison here, but
with no further result than that already
indicated
All were disposed to persist IN the de-
mand for general designations and subse-
ouent elections. Although General Nunez
reports tina. the insurgent bands In Ha-
vana province are well scattered, the
operations Of Colonel Asberts numerous
bands continue All the testimony from
the belligerent regions Is to the enect
that the insurgents are active and numer-
Gus.
Telegraphlc service between Pinar del
Rio and Havana was interrupted this
evening. but II Is not believed a con-
flict in that vicinity will take place
soon.
Complaints are being received at the
American legation here OF interference
with the property of Americans in Santa
Clara province. though there have been
several requests for protection.