The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-27
10 SEND 25,eOO MEN TO CUBA.
PRESIDENT GIVES TBE WORD FOR
TIE ARHY 10 GET READY.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21.-The most pessi-
mistic>yiems prs yail here over the situation
in Cuba. BY the greater number Of officials
intervention is regarded as inevitable.
Every preparation 10 meet u serious
emergency is being made. There Ia now
10 opinion that Secretary Taft's call for
more ships and men was Intended merely
Us "A blua. II is viewed a. a necessary pre-
cautionary measure, born Of vanishing
hope for a favorable outcome. That the
Administration does not intend TO pursue
any halfway measures in dealing. with the
situation IL clear from tia character ana
score Of the plans which the army has
undertaken 70 carry olt.
By direct orders Of President Roosevelt
received to-day preparations were begun
at once for sendinG 10 Cuba all the infantry,
cavalry and fell artillery in continental
InItsd S,atFs, about . 800 officers and men
IT, al,
Tho rarY A,cs 'ut CDTtnmpllt" sending
u.y moro shjrs Me- IRE needed more
tEan vessels II war, aId besides Havana
Lqrbur T., bscumiuE IA" Dmio"tlbly crowded
with uayai craft, lNclI ling the Amer
ican vessels at Havana or boInd there,
Eaventcci ships of all clrscs will lie OF the
Cuban capit' J. The marines already or
Ccrpd to Havana or there now number
500. Tho next move viii probably be
itade by the army, whoa coAt2mplates a
CIV ision OF 5000 men for ITS first expo
o.t.oaary hrc'
The attn t. of ?r,s leqt Palma is clus-
irC adverse comment here. In the opinion
IL ~Oifi,.s's ~ Washington he is preparing
= colnTei the United States to intervene.
lis dcotgrcl II tc.t.ol of res. gning and at
tie same tire 70 Place before the Congress
tie rrsignBtiors Of the ViCc-Presiden and
the Elemt er5 Of the cabinet IL looked upon
"a unpatrhtic AMI Il virtual breach OF good
faith With tho United States. Under
the Cub5n Constitution the retirement OF
al these officers would leave the Govern
ment without a head and Il is believed
here that the mcnhcrs Of the Moderate
or Administntion party in Congress will
desert their respective chambers after
accepting the designations Of President
Palma end the others. thus reducing
the Congress 10 a number Copstitutionally
unable 10 select a new Executive. The
situation thus created would probably
compel the United states to assume charge
of CUBAN affairs.
Secretary Taft's attempt to bring about
peace through the retention of Palma in
OIlINt NAb wv VI a AAHO ONS
and the holding of new elections for Con-
gress representation is praised in Wash
ington. The opinion prevails that in prais-
ing President Palml Mr.. Taft gave that
official a golden opportunity Of showing
his patriotism by remaining as Chief Execu-
tive and ordering new elections. But
Palma, according to the general view here,
is unwilling TO sacrifice his personal hatred
of the Liberals to the extent of affording
them the opportunity OF a fair contest for
executive supremacy, and il is feared that
his course will compel President Roosevelt
10 proclaim a virtual protectorate over
Cuba. ...
This the President, IL is known, is un-
willing to do, and officials in Washington
are satisfied that he will go to anylhonorable
extreme TO preserve the integrity Of the
Cuban republic.
Acting under orderssreceiyed direct from
the President to-day instructions were
sent from the Wal Department to COM
manders of various posts to hold troops in
readiness to move at any moment. Ever
since the insurrectionary outbreak in Cuba
was started the War Department has been
making preparations to comply with such
an order when it should come, but the order
received to-day was the first definite in
struction from the President to have the
troops prepared to embark for Cuba.
The Department has been in constant
communication with President Roosevelt
relative to its plans, but up to yesterday the
President had entertained the hope that in
tervention would not be necessary. 1t is
now plainly indicated by his instructions tc
have the army ready to move at a moment
notice, that he shares Secretary Taft's
pessimistic views as TO the outcome OF the
~iatter's mission. The President has been
advised that everything is in readiness
and that the mobilization OF troops will
begin Immediately upon the receipt Of orders
from him to proceed in that direction.
Within twenty-fouT hours after the re-
ceipt Of word from the President troop
will begin moving toward Norfolk. which
it has been decided, shall be the point oil
embarkAtion. just what troops will first
be sent TO Cuba die Department decline
to saw, but tits believed that the regiment
in the Department OF the Gulf'will Ian oil
the island in advance Of others, ar they ar
the most available, and when the prepare
tions for the inva ion OF Cuba were com
menoed these troops were the first to receiv
instructions. II Intervention 10 decide
upon, however. there will be at least 500
0DuulGI6 VI SAhO AoSAANA ~
island. IL has been decided 10 send ever
available soldier in the United States. wit
the exception Of those in the coast artillery
The strength of the army under genera
orders recently issued is approximate
al. 600 men. OF these there are about 1890
In service in the Philippines and upwar
Of 5000 in the coast artillery. Deductin
these and IN caretakers who will be lei
,o charg0 ~ the variouA posts. the neRimer
In Alaska and a few companies In remot
stations there win be about 5000 me
Immediately available for service In tn
island. Under the law b President
authorized to increase tho standing arm
to 100 900 men, and IL the struggle for th
establishment OF peace and order In II
island is likely to continue it 10 probable thf
this increase may be made.
Il is the purpose Of the War Departmer
to mount as many infantrymen as possib
and every available hoof In the army vi