The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-09-17
THREE WARSHIPS
 IN HAVANA HARBOR
Are Imposing and Interesting
 Objects to Cubans
COLWELL IS A BUSY MAN
Receives Insurgents and Their Dele gates, Who Are Anxious to Make Peace Terms of Some
 Sort.

Havana, September 18-Threa American war ships are the most imposing and interesting objects on Havana bay satur= day night Their presence undesignediy, yet pontedly, Is typical of the fact that if Is the Intention of the United States to take hand in Cuban affairs te the ex- tent at least of bringing order out of the chaotic conditions,
 The cruiser Des Molnes arrived Saturday morning and the auxiliary cruiser Dixie with 250 marines on board, came this evening. Commander Abraham E. cul- yer of the Des Moines and Lieutenant Commander Urban Holmes of the Dixie reported to Commander Colwell of tho Denver, who being the senior officer, is in command of the squadron.
 If Commander cowers mission here was in the nature of making peace ne- gotiations. he could hardly be more busy. He Is receiving delegates representing the insurgents and even some of the insurgents themselves who are anxious through him to negotiate peace of some kind. He has held consultations with these emissaries, but declines to do otherwise than recommend that they go to their government. This suggestion bore fruit to the extent that there was some talk between the emissaries and Governor Nu- neg, which may lead to something more definite.
 But while these men are assuring Com mander Colwell that hostilities have been held up on account of their endeavors for peace, the fact is that fighting pro ceeded outside Havana both Friday even ing and this afternoon.
 Taft and Bacon comnng.
 While a cessation of hostilities pending the arrival of Secretary Taft and Act ing Secretary of State Bacon would be appreciated by the government and the public there is no certain evidence that any such general understanding has yet been reached The great topic of conver- sation to the exclusion of everything else today was President Roosevelt's letter re- garding the situation.
 President Palma declines to be inter viewed on the subject, but 1t Is known that he has every confidence of square deal" There Is much speculation as to future conditions in the island There are great hopes in practically all class es that the United States will attain some degree of control over Cuba's affairs. Some Cubans and Spaniards hold that the liberals and revolutionists should not be considered by MT Taft in his efforts to bring about a settlement of the trou- ble, but that the administration should be upheld without reference to the revo- lutionists wishes. Americans here gener- ally believe that MT. Taft and MT. Ba- con will regard the wishes of the peo- pie generally, without reference to past conditions and will not engage in pure ly sustaining the administration. 1 Commander Colwell this afternoon ca bled the navy department that the revo- lutionary leaders assured him that they had ceased hostilities and again offered to bring him their arms, etc., and dis band their forces, Commander Colwell stated that he believed he could If au- thorized, end the insurrection at once. Up to tonight, however no instructions in this connection had been received by him. The commander also reported to the de- partment that negotiations for peace had been opened with the government and that he believed an end of the trouble would result. He added that he was in- | formed constantly as to the attitude of the revolutionary leaders
 Plan for Peace.
 In an open letter published this even ing Alfredo Zayas, president of the lb- eral party, offers on behalf of the lb= erals to negotiate peace on the basis l that Senor Palma shall continue as pres 1 ident. that two of the cabinet ministers l shall be members of the liberal party; that the municipal officers removed last year shall be restored; that the electoral | laws shall be revised and that new cleo tions of senators and representatives shall be held and also elections of governors and provincial officers to i'll the vacancies of those removed last December
 | Senor Zayas says the 'reYolutionists have suspected all the time that peace barley ing was going on; that the government was expecting help from the United States | and denounees as unfair the sudden plac- | ing of three provinces under martial law while the parleying was pending. He says | the insurgents are ready for just and fair treatment, and "if the powerful nation which gave our freedom will act as arhi- tratory, we will give 1t our best assistance that We may be able to acquire and keep | the sort of liberty that flourishes In 1 land of truth and right"
 | The defenses of Havana have been ! considerably increased, General Rodrl- guez is personally in command. The de- | fense force consists of 1900 rural guards, | 150 artillerymen, 2b0 infantry rural guards, 1000 municipal police, 600 city militia and | four batteries of Major Clews rapid-fre | guns, The latter returned from Pinar del Rio today after having guarded the re- pairs of all the bridges damaged on the | Western railroad The railroad is now re- | suming traffic, The forces in the. sur | rounding suburbs are several hundred recruits that altogether more than 3500 men are available
 | The revolutionsts outside the city have not yet been dislodged to any extent. tIn- official stories of General Rodriguez fight with them say consistently that Rodriguez retreated. This the commander denies ab- soutely and he has again taken the field. This afternoon General Rodriguez forces and another force composed of General Bozsa's volunteers encountered the re, :. | olutionists near El Gano. The result of | this fight is not known.
 To vote for Stiles is another prop to the professional office 1 1 | EI | |