The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-22
CUBAN REBELS OBEY TAFT.
MOVE FURTHER FROM HAVANA
AT HIS REQUEST.
Secretary More Hopeful % Clearing I'D
the situation -PsIma's Party wIlling
70 Submit Issues 10 Americas Arbitras
ton n the Liberals win Disarm.
Special OaOIs Despatch to TIE sun.

ton III inc AADorhls VIII UhsArms
Special Cubic Despatch 10 TIE sun.
HAVANA, Sept. 7i.-Secretary Of War
Taitani Assisssat Secretary o. state Bacon.
President Roosev slt's peace oommissionerss
odafinued their work to-day. They saw
several business men and a committee Of
the House Of Representative.
Upon the conclusion OF the conferences
Mr.. left told the reporters that he felt
somewhat more hopeful Of a clearing up
OF the situation. He declined to state the
grounds for his feeling, combining himself
to the mere statement.
He has now heard both sides OF the ques-
ton and understands the points at issue.
The commissioner are not formulating
any plan Of settlement, but are trying to
get the two sides together.
Mr.. Taft says that In view OF the fact !
that the rebefs during the truoe have been
dra wing closer to Havana and are now
very near the Government troops at Mari
anao he sent word TO Gen. Castillo by
Senator Zayas informing him that this was
contrary to the spirit Of the truce and
requesting him to withdraw his forces to q
distance. Gen. Castillo replied that he
himself was sick. but that a majority Of his
troops would lie sent at once to a point
further from the capital. He. with the
remainder Of his men, would withdraw
later.
Tomorrow Mr.. Taft will zee the rebel
Generals Guerra, Castillo, Machardo and
Ferrera. The latter two are from Santa
Clara province; Guerra and Castillo are the
inces respectively. .
Mr.. Taft explains that his dealing with
Vice President Capote and Senator Zayas
is a case Of lawyer dealing with lawyer
but the case Ia different with the rebel
leaders, and he wishes to see how far Senator
Zayas represents them.
1t is learned this evening that Gen.
Guerra's troops have been removed beyond
Punta Bravo on the road to GuanRjay.
He has over 5000 men, who were reviewed
to-day by Major Ladd at the request of
Gen. Guerra, who wished to show his
strength.
Before Mr.. Taft requested the withdrawal
OF his force about 1000 rebels were within
striking distance Of Havana. Between the
forces Of Gen. Guerra and Gen. Castillo
are two towns, Hoyo Colorado and Punta
Bravo, which are garrisoned by Govern
ment troops, which II 10 proposed to with
draw under a safeguard from Gen. Castillo
and thus avoid the danger Of a clash.
Gen. Guerra has ar extensive camping
ground, and his troops have a large number
OF horses. He had threatened to reopen
hostilities IL the Government continued to
build b~lockhouses and mobilize troops, but
IL il pointed out that the Governments
action was no more against the spirit OF
the truce than was Guerra's drawing closer
to Havana.
1t is reported tonight that the rebels
nave demanded S4,OOO,OOO from the Gov
eminent.
Gen. Castillo afirms that Gen. Rodri-
guez lost 40 men in the recent engagements
at Wajay. II is stated that 80 per cent. OF
the rebels in Havana Province are negroes.
At a meeting Of the executive committee
Of the Moderate party tonight 1t was de-
cided to submit the whole question to the
arbitration OF Commissioners Taft and
Bacon, provided the Liberals would lay
down their arms and sOlemnly agree to
abide by the decision OF the arDltrators.
This action was taken to express the con-
fdence Of the Moderate party in the political
honesty OF the illustrious representatives
OF President Roosevelt and the Unite1
States, and because this is the only means
by which the commissioner can arrive at
thorough knowledge OF the facts. Vice.
President Capote Immediately visited Mr..
Taft aud informed him Of the deaision OF
the party.
Late this afternoon 1t was said that
the revolutionary junta in Havapa was
inclined to accept some eort Of arrange
ment for the annulment Of all the last
elections, except that OF President Palma
and for the reform of the municipal electoral
laws in such a way as to prevent further
trouble.
Senator Zayas; che Liberal leader, advo-
Gates a compromise OF this sort, although
he cannot commit himself with Secretary
Taft until he hears from all the revolutionary
leaders. The difficulty consists in convinc-
ing the revolutionary army to accept Presi-
dent Palma. Senior Zayas is doing his best
to attain this end.
IT, On the other hand IL f. asked how Presi-
dent Palma can accept such a sacrifice
by his party, the MOderates, while he retains
Office.
Bearing on this proposal Is a letter Gen.
Lyna1 del Castillo has written TO The SUN
correspondent, from his, camp at Santiago
de las Vegas, saying:
Tell the American people that We will
accept only the annulment Of the elections
carried with fraud and violence when W
In good faith g to the polls unarmedJ
expecting honestly that our rights would
be respected. We cannot believe now that
President Roosevelt and the American
people are coming to the support OF Palma
and force him upon the people'of Cuba.
This would DO the greatest mistake. fer no
people can be kept at peace under an I'M
popular Government
ArepOrt current to-day among the Moder-
ates was that Secretary Taft has suggested
that Vice-P resident Capote procure the pas
sage in Congress Of reformed electoral and
municipal avs as the best means Of reach
ing an arrangement. Weep resident Ca