The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-09-15
STRICT NEUTRALITY
To Be THE POLICY
Protection of American Inter-
ests is All Government
Wants in Cuba.
DESTRUCTION CONFIRMED
NAVY is READY AND WAITING
TO CARRY OUT ORDERS OF THE
PRESIDENT WHO is IN TOUCH
WITH SITUATION.
Publishers PressJ

Washiaa ..--Ca ba is the
sole topic Of conversation in that part
of official Washington that is dealing
with the disturbed situation in the is
land republic. The state department,
upon instructions from Oyster Bay, is
directing the policy of the govern
ment in the present crisis, the navy
department is furnishing the force 70
carry out the policy and the war de
partment is ready for any part it may
be asked to take if Intervention is de
cided upon. The policy of the govern
ment is shown in the order to with
draw from Havana all force save such
as may be accommodated in the
American legation, and which remains
as legation guard To have allowed
a force Of more than 100 blue jackets
to camp around the palace of the pres
tdent of Cuba, it was believed, could
not be construed otherwise than as
taking sides in favor of the Palma
government, as such force would
protect him in his prese t position.
Strict neutrality between the war
ring factions, but with every possible
precaution to protect American life
and property is the policy of the Unit
ed States. The navy, acting under or
ders also from the president, is ready
and preparing to furnish such force as
may be necessary to carry out the pol
icy. If the ships already in Cuban
waters are not sufficient others will
be dispatched Those ships which
swere destined for duty elsewhere and
fxxrore Infe f1<,- in,
Dominican waters have been under
rush orders and will sail soon. There
iare other vessels available and almost
Mn readiness for sailing.
! A dispatch has been received at the
Estate department from the American
charge d'affaires. Mr.. Sleeper, con-
firming the report Of the destruction
of the sugar plantations at Cienfuegos
hand of the destruction of railroad
bridges and buildings. 1t also stated
THAT no traffic is going on on the Gu
ban Central, Western or United Gu
Sban railways. The governor of Santa
jClara province has reported that San
tia Clara is threatened by the rebels.
1.-THE navy DEPARTMENT has not yet
been informed of the arrival of the
! Another dispatch from Mr.. Sleeper
says it is reported that 900 insurgents
attacked the rural guards on the
+ -rning of the 18th at Zaza, Santa
cara province, and that the govern
ment lost IS men, while the loss of
the insurgents is not known. The
government forces retreated to Sancti
Spiritus. Mr.. Sleeper adds that a ru
, NOR is current of an uprising in Cana
quay. The postal service between
Santiago and Havana is interrupted.
Mr.. Sleeper's report is based on a tel
egram from the American consul on
the afternoon of Sept. 10.
The landing of 100 sailors by Com
mander Colwell and the subsequent
withdrawal of the force on orders
from Washington has caused consid
cradle comment, but it is asserted
that no reflection on the officer is in
volved in the action taken here. I'm
der the instructions which he receiv.
ed when he departed for Cuba he was
to put his force at the disposal Of the
state department authority in Cuba,
which was vested in the person of
ing a force was at the request of the
could refuse a request of this kind
coming from an American legation in
American charge, and it is pointed out
ut the navy department that no officer
q foreign country.