The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-20
Hear Reports from Moderate and
Liberal Presidents
TEN DAYS WILL Be REQUIRED
Conditions In the Field Are Quiet, Al
though the Situation at Cienfue-
eos Is neutrality-suspicious.
Outskirts Are Patrolled.

Havana September 19.-The presidents
of both the moderate and liberal parties
this afternoon submitted to Secretary of
War Taft and Assistant Secretary of
State Bacon their respective statements
of facts leading up to the revolution and
the conduct of beligerents. Each of the
presidents tomorrow will present a writ
ten statement of the peace terms to
which they are willing to agree. General
Menoca1 representing the veterans, also
related the efforts he has made toward
peace and the difficulties he has en-
countered and gave his opinion as to what
courses hold any promise of an amicable
settlement. A committee of Isle of Pines
Americans also appeared, but got little
satisfaction. their attorney simply pre-
senting a statement of their grievances
which was not taken up.
Today's hearing began at the home of
Minister Morgan in the village of Maria
mao, which is only three miles from the
advanced insurgent forces. The hearings
were held privately in a room adjoining
the library, no one being present eX-
cept those directly interested and news
paper men.
Secretary Taft informed Vice President
Mendez Capote, Senator Alfredo Zayas
and General Menocal that today's confer
ences would be purely preliminary and
that all would be heard again. Vice Pres
ident Mendez Capote was given an ap-
pointment for 10 o'clock tomorrow and
Senator Zayas for o'clock After the
hearings, Secretary TAFT said to the AS
sociated Press that he had just begun his
work and that it was evident that the
-. i
quire more time than he had anticipated
He intimated that ten days would be re-
quired but he could not say whether it
will be necessary to visit insurgent camps
or other cities.
Representatives Appear.
He was pleased that representatives of
every faction had appeared. considering
that this augurs well for the success Of
the mission. Mr.. Taft said that he ex-
pected to talk also with representatives
of commercial interests
A private telegraph wire is being strung
from Minister Morgans house to the
cable office in order that Messrs. Taft
and Bacon may be able to report direct
to President Roosevelt.
Three hundred rural guards have been
sent to Marianao.
Senator Zayas said that he had been
asked not to talk about the conference,
but acknowledged that he had been urged
to use his influence to stop fighting He
said he feared that he would be unable to
reach distant insurgent camps in time,
and pointed out that the attack by forco
of the insurgents under Tello Sanchez at
Sancti Spiritus on Tuesday was a viola
tion of the governments armistice
Senior Zayas related to Secretary Taft
the efforts he had made for the relief of
the liberal prrpctad nd
NM. Taft informed him that President
Palma had stated that the prisoners un-
der indictment would be released under
bail. Up to tonight, however, they had not
been released. Senior Zayas said it was
imperative that Jose Miguel Gomez and
other of the prisoners should assist in the
peace negotiations. Mr. Taft was careful
not to commit himself to either faction,
but encouraged all to talk freely.
Palma Talks Freely.
During Secretary Taft's visit to Pres
ident Palma earlier in the day the latter
spoke freely of the situation and the fu-
ture possibilities adding that in the con-
tingency of a general election being or
dered he would not feel that it would be
consistent in him to continue as president.
No member of the government, President
Palma said will consent to general cleo
tion.
Following his visit to President Palma,
Secretary Taft boarded the cruiser Denver
to return Commander Colwells call. He
found there Senior Zayas awaiting him
under pre-arrangement with Commander
Colwell and thus cordial relations were
established both with the palace and with
the revoutionists. Senor Zayas had on
Tuesday sent a letter to Secretary Taft
through charge d'affairs Sleeper. tender
ing him his greetings. Unfortunately the
letter did not reach Mr. Taft, but Senior
Zayas made it public today.
The conditions in the field are quiet
although the situation at Cienfuegos is
threatening. General Rodriguez said this
evening that rural guards and MALTA are
patroling the outskirts and suburbs of Ha-
vana. One thousand MALTA from Man
tanzas have been removed from the Ca
banas fortress to Camp Columbia.
Gonzales Muenoz, editor of the Spanish
edition of the Havana Post, an American
newspaper was arrested by order of Sec
retary Montalvo on account of an editorial
criticising the government.
Senior Munoz also is private secretary to
General Freyre and speaker of the house
of representatives Members of the cabl-
net said tonight that Senor Munoz should
be deported