The Washington times., 1906-09-24
Hostile Cuban Armies
May Clash In Battle
At Any Mo-
ment.
AMERICANS READY
FOR QUICK LANDING
Renewed Fighting VIII Be
the Signal For Instant In
terVention On Part of
United States.

HAVANA. Sept. 2A-WhiIe talk In
Cuba IS all for peace. preparations on
all sides for warfare are more active
than they have heen at any time since
the arrival Of the American commits
siouers.
The feeling this morning that both
sides would submit the trouble TO ar
bitration 20 the American commissioners
without reservation IS not so sanguinc
as II was yesterday The rebel field
leaders are inclined 10 insist on assuF-
ances that there Will be a new election
which assurance AIr. Taft declines TO
give. The American Secretary Of War
declined today TO discuss the situation
When asked what the prospects are for
peace, AIr. TAFT said.
7 prefer to say nothing AZ this time. ="
Great Danger Of Conflict.
Il is generally conceded that the -ac-
tiOn or the government in bringing Col
onel Avaios' men to Guanajay may
precipitate "a battle any moment. The
only Interpretation put upon this move
ment Is that the government wished 10
cause trouble which would force active
Intervention by the United States.
Preparations have been made by the
insurgents 10 meet any movement by
the loyalists, as they do not propose to
allow the government forces TO hem
them I'm.
The greatest activity IS being shown
aboard The American WaTships In the
harDOr Tents, provisions, and am
munlJlcn have been landed and every
thing IS in readiness TO land bluejackets
aud marines withia ten minutes II
necessity arises.
Ready TO Land Any Minute.
Fighting between the rebels and gov
ernmeut forces viii be the signal for
landing the men from the warships.
Wagons and other vehicles are held in
readiness and within one hour after
men are landed they viii be stationed
at every danger point about the city,
lnsuring IL against attack from the out
side. while acting as a safeguard against
mutny or uprisings in the city.
The situation is undoubtedly critical
only the GOODNESS OF the msurgent gen
erals Guerra and Castfuo. prevented a
battle yesterday. When AvaIOs brought
his men almost in contact with Guerra s
army and prepared 20 march directly
through the iusurgeut forces toward
Havana many of the insurgents were
wild 10 attack the lOyalIsts. Had AVal0S
persisted i'm marching past Guerra's men
81 Is almost certain there would have
GuerTas warning that a conflict must
follow any such effort on his part. and
AValOs halted
Ordered 70 Halt His Troops.
Secretary Taft took the government
authorities TO task for what he called
a violation Of the truce agreed upon
and Avalos was commanded not to come
nearer 10 Havana. The alarm has not
subsided however, tx Is believed the
government, rather than see the iusurE-
ents victorious I'm the peace negotia-
tiOns viii do something to provoke
armed Intervention by the United States.
With Avalos' men remaining at Guam
ulay a battle can easily be preCipItated
az any morent.
If the government sees the rebels
winning with the peace commissioners
10 IS believed the battle viii come, and
after that the landing Of marines and
perhaps the establishment Of suZeTainty
over the island by President Roosevelt