Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-04
TAFT PROCLA|MS
HIMSELF GOVERNOR
United States Secretary Of
War Assumes Control
of Cuba
NO OPPOSITION IS SHOWN
Both Factions Accept Occupation as
inevitabe-Care Taken to Avoid
Humiliation of Leaders of Republic
Cuban Flag Floating over Palace.

ceSsion or new municipal admins
tration, the government Of Cuba was
formally taken over yesterday by VIII
liam H. Taft. secretary of war OF the
United States, who, in proclamation
couched in a kindly and diplomatic
tone indicative of the policy he would
pursue, declared himself provisional
governor of the island.
Promptly at noon Governor Tart,
Assistant Secretary Of State Bacon
! and Captain Mccoy, Governtr Tatts
aide de camp, called officially at the
palace and paid their respects TO the
retiring president. Ignoring Presl-
dent Palma's message to congress on
Friday in which he wrongly inter
preted the mission Of the American
meditators, Governor Taft spoke KIND
ly to Senior Palma, to whom, he SAID
the people of Cuba owed an unques-
tionable debt of gratitude. President
Palma's brief reply was devoted en-
tirely to an expression OF relief Tor
the opportunity of shifting the bur-
den of guiding the tempestous repuD-
sic to the representatives OF nation
strong enough to enforce control over
1t.
The fact that the government
changed hands, from the position OF
absolute independence to the restraint
of temporary protector, etc., was re-
ceived by the masses with utter In
difference. Most of the refined and
thoughtful Cubans while they feel
certain sensitiyeness over the loss OF
the islands sovereignty, are inclin-
ed to hope that the United States pro-
teetorate will be brief.
A Cuban returning to Havana after
q brief absence would not have recog-
nized from the general attitude or the
people that the form of government
had been altered. Business continu-
ed the same except for vigor exhibit
ed by the wholesale merchants manu-
facturers and railroads to regain
their former trade throughout the
island which has been at standstill
since the beginning Of the revolution
six weeks ago.
Governor Taft's proclamation was
as follows:
ITO the people of Cuba: The failure
of congress to act on the irrevocable
resignation of the president OF the
republic of Cuba or to elect success
sor leaves the country without gov
eminent at a time when great disor-
ders prevail and requires that, pursu-
ant to the request Of Mr.. Palma, the
necessary steps be taken in the name
and by the authority of the United
States to restore order and to protect
life and property In the island Of
Cuba and keys adjacent thereto, and
for this purpose to establish therein
q provisional government. The pro.
visional government hereby establish
ed will be maintained only long
enough to restore order, peace and
public confidence by direction Of, and
in the name Of the president Of the
United States, and then to hold such
elections as may be necessary to de-
termine on those persons upon whom
the permanent government OF the
republic should be devolved. Insofar
as is consistent under the authority
of a provisional government establish
ed under the authority of the United
States, this will be a Cuban govern
ment, conforming with the constitu-
ton of Cuba. The Cuban flag will be
hoisted, as usual, over the govern
ment buildings Of the island; all the
executive departments and provincial
and municipal governments, includ-
ing that of the city of Havana, will
continue to be administered as under
the Cuban republic; the courts will
continue to administer justice, and all
the laws not in their nature inappli-
cable by reason of the temporary and
emergent character of the government
VIII be In force.
president Roosevelt has been
most anxious to bring about peace
under the constitutional government
of Cuba, and he made every endea-
vor to avoid the present step. Long
er delay, however, would be dangerous
in view Of the resignation Of the cabi-
net.
Until further notice the heads OF
all the departments OF the central
government will report to me for in
structions, including Gen. Alexander
Rodriguez, In command Of the rural
guards, and other regular government
forces, and Gen. Carlos Rolof1, treas.
urer Of Cuba.
Until further notice the civil gov
errors and alcaldes will also report
to me for instructions.
II ask ali citizens and residents or
Cuba to assist me in the work of re-
storing order, tranquility and public
COINCIDENCE. VIM. H. Taft, Secretary of
War, United States, Provisional Gov.
ernor Of Cuba. Havana, Sept. 20.
1906"
Mr.. Taft will probably actually 'oc-
cupy the palace Sunday, Senior Pal
ma, with his family, going to Matan-
zas Monday, where they will remain
several days, and then go to their
old home at Bayamo.
Secretary Taft today received a let.
ter signed by Jose Miguel Gomez, and
other conspiracy prisoners, as follows:
1--WE understood that the provision
al government this day established
in Cuba, intends to carry out, so far
as the same may be applicable to the
changed conditions, the basis OF set
tlement which the peace commission.
ers recommended to both the moder.
ate and liberal parties, including gen
eral amnesty for all political offend
ers. The undersigned, representing
the fnsurgent forces in the field, by
proper declaration hereby agree on
behalf of such insurgent forces, that
they will at once lay down their arms,
return to their homes and restore
property taken by them for military
purposes, which now Is in their pos
session. We request the appointment
of a commission by the provisional
government to meet similar com
mission appointed by us to arrange
the details of the surrender OF arms