Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1906-09-14

kEEPSWATCH0 ON CUBA
ROOSEVELT READY 70 INTER.
vENE lF NECESSARY.
PREPARED TO SEND ARMY
Every Available Soldier Would %
Sent to Island to QueIl Rebel.
lion and Maintain a Stable
Government.

| Washington.-Pre Roosevelt
b keenly alive to the progress OF the
revolutionary movement in Cuba and
the responsibility Of the United States
In case the conditions grow worse
and Intervention becomes necessary.
1t is known that the president win
hot intervene unless it appears abso-
iutely necessary, vet steps have been
taken which would make such inter
Vention effective.
The ships that have been sent to
Cuba are there for the purpose only
of protecting American interests and
furnishing asylum for Americans who
may be In danger from the warning
factions.
Actual Intervention would mean the
use OF the army and all the available
forces would no doubt be needed and
will be ready il serious situation de-
velops.
Under present conditions, the army
has been kept in a better state OF
preparation than ever before, and will
be ready if called upon.
Correspondence between the presi-
dent, the secretary of war and Gen.
Bell, chief Of STAFF, has provided for
all contingencies. It is recognized
that Intervention would be no "holi-
day" matter, but that an army would
be necessary and in case OF interven-
ton every available man would be
used and will be sent to Cuba as fast
as possible.
Although no regular transports are
available on the Atlantic coast, it is
known where transports can be OBJ.
tanned as soon as needed.
Secro .ary Taft has also been inter-
ested in everything that has been go
ing forward, and it is believed that
the Cuban situation has peen the sub
ject of correspondence between the
president and the secretary.
Under Plat Amendment.
Authority tor the Intervention IN
Cuban affairs is contained in the
third article of the Plat amendment,
adopted by congress in the army APP
preparation bill of 1902, which reads:
.'That the government of Guba con-
sents that tn United States may ex.
ercise the right to intervene for the
preservation of Cuban independence,
the maintenance of government ade.
quate for the protection Of life, prop
erty and individual liberty, and for
discharging the obligations with re.
spect to Cuba imposed by the treaty
or Paris on the United States now to
be assumed and undertaken by the
government of Cuba.
This, with the other provisions OF
the Plat amendment, were incorpor.
ated in the constitution Of Cuba.
Soldiers Ordered Home.
Some weeks ago the Sixth and
Twenty-first regiments of infantry
were ordered home from the Philip
pines, 1t being stated that their tour
of service in tho Pacific islands was
completed. The return or these regi
ments upon three transports which
sailed last winter for the Philippines
will bring available troops to the At.
lantic coast and also the transports
which would be necessary If the Plat
amendment is invoked.
Warships for Cuban Waters.
Washington. President Roose
ve1t's policy Of preparedness fol
any emergency in Cuba, SO lar as the
immediate operation OF war vessels is
concerned, was announced at the state
department Wednesday. It includes
the arrival at Havana by night Of the
protected cruiser Denver and the gun
boat Marietta at Cienfuegos some time
Thursday. The cruiser Des Moines
will remain at Key West until further
orders.
No Plans for Demonstration.
In making public these acts Acting
Secretary Bacon Of the state depart.
ment said that there -7as no DISPOSE.
ton on the part Of this government ia
make demonstration in Cuban
waters, but the insurrection had at
tanned such proportions it had become
necessary to take steps for the pro
lection Of American interests in Cuba
The department believes that fol
the present the Denver will be suffi
cient for all needs along the northern
coast Of Cuba and the Marietta fo1
the southern coast.