The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1906-09-25
INSURGENTS ARE SUSPICIOUS.


Secretary TAFT Prepares Armistice
which suits Both Factions.
Havana, Sept. 24-The first meeting
of he American mediators with. th''
insurgents and liberal committee CALI
ed for this morning was again post
poned on account of the illness of Be-
layo Garcia. one of the conspiracy
prisoners. who has been added to the
committee. Much depends on the at
titude of the committee at the first
confer ence.
Heavy rains are prevailing and the
insurgents are inclined to seek the
benefit of the armistice during the
continuance of the peace negotiations.
Heretofore there was merely verbal
agreement without any definite terms,
but a document was prepared and tax
en- yesterday to the camp OF Generals
Guerra and Castillo and these chiefs
attached their signatures to 1t. The
document was signed today by acting
secretary of the interior, Montalvo, on
behalf of the government. Alarming
reports of the lack of discipline in the
insurgents camps were brought to Sec
rotary of War Taft and Assistant Sec
rotary of State Bacon today. Coming
at time when the prospects of peace
looked the brightest. these reports,
which are from the most confidential
sources and whether full credence is
placed in them or not. the confidence
insurgent leaders and in their ability
to guarantee the conduct of their forces
has been shaken. Despite the truce
the insurgents unquestionably are pre-
pairing for continued warfare
Smoked meat Is being laid down In
large quantities and the rebel comman-
ders are cndeavorfng to win over the
veterans in the governments service
to join them in the event of an Ameri-
can occupancy of the island Some OF
the veterans have already gone over
and excused their conduct by saying
that free Cuba demands it. The fact is
that these men preferred fighting I'M
der any conditions to life of peace ac-
companied by the necessity for work.
Secret reports received by Messrs. Taft
and Bacon of the situation in the
rebel camps declare that the insurgents
have been made indignant by the pre-
paratIons for landing marines and
hint at bad faith on the part of the
American commissioners. General AS
bert, commander of the insurgent
forces. in Havana province is particu-
larly suspicious.
Ridiculous as ii seems. there are per-
sistent rumors that the insurgents in
tend to harm the American commits
stoners In the event of peace COM
pact being made on terms unsatisfac-
tory to them. In some of the camps
there Is much characterization and
mutterings against the leaders are
heard because they have undertaken to
make peace with the government
through the Americans. The men in
the field believe that they had the
government beaten and that the Amer-
leans are now trying to steal their
glory. This condition OF affairs is IN
some quarters regarded as menacing
the permancy of any agreement which
may be made. The insurgents are
/ fal lit Nd
ties opened to burn Marianao and
Punta Bravo. break into small bands
and seek safety in the mountain. Small
bands not associated with either army
have taken advantage of the truce and
are pillaging in the south and west
parts of Havana province. stealing what
they want and destroying other prop
erty.
The following is the. text Of Secre-
tary Tafts armistice as agreed upon
absolutely by the insurgents and on
one condition by the government off,
Gals:
"A truce, or suspension of arms hav-
ing been decreed by the President of
Cuba, and proclaimed to the forces of
the liberal party by their leaders l. as
intermediary for the purpose of arrang-
ing a permanent peace. have the honor
to request the opposing parties to spe-
officially agree during the truce to re-
desist from all military operations of a
hostile character, and all preparatory
movements or manouevres which could
not have been performed during the
continuance of hostilities, or which
| would have been performed under the
FIRE of the opposing party.
| First--No movements of troops shall
| take place on either side without a no.
| tification to the opposing authorities,
viz the Secretary of the Interior of
Cuba Alfred Zayas. representing the
Commission.
Second This peace shall be effective
throughout Cuba.
Third--If either party violates any
of the expressed conditions, the oppos-
ing party shall not take hostile action
until after sending notification to the
Peace Commission.
Fourth Hostilities shall not be re-
sumed for at least twenty-four hours
after notification to the Peace Commits
sion.
1t is requested that acceptance Of
these conditions be made in writing to
me.
Very respectfully.
William H. Taft,
Secretary OF War of the United States.
The condition which Acting Secretary
OF State Montalvo made to signing the
document was that he should notify
Secretary Taft instead of Senator Fay
as, president of the liberal party.) II
the government desired to move troops.
The differences in the rebel ranks
are evidently increasing and heavy rains
are adding materially to the spirit OF
discomfort