The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-27
Cuban Government Decides That
It is Bad Policy
TROOPS ARE BEING ASSEMBLED
Many Bands of Insurrectionists Are
Gathering Over the Island, and
Grave Fears of Serious
Trouble Apprehended.

Havana, August 26,-The anxiety of
President Palma to extend every possible
opportunity for peace without bloodshed
and his desire to permit those who joined
the insurrection under mlsguidanee to re-
pent and return to their homes unmolest-
ed, combined with the general wish to
end a situation fraught with so much loss
and suffering, has led to consideration by
the president and his cabinet of project
decreeing thrty-day amnesty period
during which the insurreetionists are in
vlted to lay down their arms, and return
to their peaceful pursuits 1t was pro-
posed to issue the decree tomorrow, but
persons close to the president strongly
opposed the measure, and the matter was
deferred and may be relinqulshed.
Colonel Montalvo, now acting secretary
of the interior, said to the Associated
Press tonight that at present there was
no intention to issue an amnesty.
Font Sterling, secretary of the treas
ury, said the matter was not being seri-
ously considered, and other friends OF
President Palma declared it would be an
unwise move.
So far as actual conflict went Sunday
proved to be day of inactivity, but prep
arations proceeded without abatement.
fund of 100000 has been set aside for
defense and drafts on it are heavy and
constant.
The situation is so increasingly serious
that it is tacitly admitted in all gov
eminent circles that the enlargement o.,
tho army viii not stop at any given mum
Der, but viii continue indefinitely
Labor May Be Scarce.
While the number of men at present
leaving their regular occupations to enlist
for war is small, employers are beginning
to find that they soon will be confronted
with a considerable scarcity of labor.
Many laborers are gathering in front OF
the bulletin boards on which are displayed
President Palmas call for volunteers
They discuss the attractiveness of sol
dier's life at such unusual pay and many
resolved to enlist.
1t was observed today that many insur-
gent bands had taken to the brush with
the growth of the insurrection, which GER
tainly seems to keep pace with the prepdr-
ations for suffocating it,
Next to the combatants the most IN
teresting question today seems TO be how
to end the war without lighting. Around
the discussion centeia much OF cflmlnadou
and recrmination FROM both liberals ana
moderates, each side bringing accusa-
tions as to the responsibility OF the repei-
lion ON one phase of the controversy the
liberals seem so united as TO suggest
an understanding, among them for TAX
ing advantage of the present situation 10
press upon the government a proposition
that 1t ought, in some manner TO treat
with them or admit them 10 conference
of some sort While no liberals are IN
arms against the government, they ADMIT
countenancing the insurrection, though
they always deny knowledge of any con-
spiracy. Interviews statements ana hints
given out by the liberals all point 10 the
proba bilty that the matter might be set
tied on the basis of admission of leaders
of their party to the councils of the gov
ernment and some guarantee that in the
future elections will be conducted with
absolute fairness.
Want Complete AnnuIlment.
The insurreetionists In the field who,
of course are far more radical In their
demands and who are important Factors
In this discussion do not think or ac-
ceptlng less than the complete annullment
of the last elections. All the liberals would
Insist under any circumstances upon u
general amnesty for all rebels.
The government at this stage does not
think of considering any of these tenta-
lively suggested proposals. The fact Is
that the palace authorities were today in
a most hopeful mood. No advices from tho
liberals have been made, however that
are at all likely to be considered before
the government suffers some serious re-
verses and phobaby not even then
All discussion of this sort leads newt
ably to the subject of American interven-
tion. IL the conflict should last for
long time Intervention Is considered to
look as a toleraby certain eventuality. IL
the government subdues the insurrection
and chastises wounds or kills members
of the liberal party the feeling of rancor
is expected to continue for years. II the
insurrections prevail, 1t is predicted that
uncertain conditions are bound to con-
tinue
Santa Clara is becoming thorough IN
surrectionist province. Some villages nave
become wholly insurrectionqry. and even
larger towns in some cases have taken up
arms against the government
The attitude of the President Is entirely
n question of the attitude of the leaders,
former mayor of Trinidad has sud
denly placed himself at the head OF a
band of 100 insurgents. The mayor OF
Las Cruces is leading a band from his
town consisting OF 200 men.
July Imports.