The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-09-14
our TROOPS
HAVE LANDED
The American Flag Is Again
Flying in Cuba.
BLUEJACKETS AND GUNS
Commander Of Cruiser Denver
Takes Action to Protect Our
Interests in Havana.


aud are In camp In this city in front
OF old La FuerZa castle, facing the
Plaza dc Armas. the little park in front
OF the presidential palace, which Is the
seat OF the Cuban government.
The American dag Is planted just In
side OF the low stone coping separating
the castle grounds from O'ReIlly street,
which thoroughfare passes between
the camp and the Plaza de Armas. The
American sailors are armed with regu-
lation rifles. with the exception OF a
few who carry reyolvers or carbines.
Two field howitzers and two rapid
tire guns were sent ashore with the
sailors and now point across the pretty
little park. a significant warning TO
any one approaching the executive
headquarters OF the Cuban government
with hostile intent.
The Denver. which originally an
chored farther up the bay. dropped
down last night To a position abreast
Of the foot Of ORellly street and 10
front OF the offices OF the captain Of
the port so as to be conveniently near
the detachment sent ashore and close
at hand In case OF need
The whole business was done so
quietly and quickly that 1t caused the
greatest surprise. The reason for the
sudden landing OF the American sail
ors was conference between Presi-
dent Palma. Charge d'Anaires Sleeper
and Commander Colwell.
On the occasion OF the latter's form
al call upon President Palma. Mr.
Sleeper asked the president the direct
question whether he considered that
the government was able TO protect all
American interests In Havana unaid
ed. The president replied that he
hoped the government would be able
to do 50, but suggested that II also
might be advisable AS measure OF
precaution In the interests OF Ameri-
cans as we'll as for the maintenance Of
order in general TO land marines at
some convenient point, suggesting the
Plaza de Armas as the place. Mr.
Sleeper and Commander Colwell after
n brief conference decided that the
landing should be made last night. The
detachment, under command of Exec
utive Officer Miller, was landed, with
arms. ammunition aud camp parapher-
MALTA and took up position command
Ing the approaches to the palace. Two
hours later the cOmmlssary outfit fol
lowed with supper for the officers and
men.
Questioned whether their duties on
shore would simply be protection of
American interests or defense of the
palace and President Palma, Executive
officer Miller and the other officers of
the detachment unanimously replied
that II the town should be attacked or
II an uprising occurred In the city they
undoubtedly would have something to
do regardless Of fine questions as TO
who made the attack.
The general impression here seems
to be that IL Is the intention of the
United States not only TO protect Amer
lean interests, but also the government
OF President Palma. The presence in
the city of American sailors has had
the effect Of creating feeling of com
parative security against attack from
without or of an internal uprising.
Reports had been current that the
worst elements Of the population were
planning to set fires, under the cover
OF which robberies might be commit
ted. 1t was also reported that lnsur-
gents In considerable numbers were
approaching Havana from several dl-
rections.
There has been no news received
here from the western portion of Pnar
del Rio province, as the wires are cut.
The province of Matanzas Is reported
to be still free OF insurgents. Santa
Clara, the most disturbed of the prov
lnces, reports more accessions to the
insurgent cause, but there has been
no fighting. Puerto Principe reports
that some small parties have gone out
to join the insurgents. In Santiago
province there is considerable antigov-
eminent feeling, but there are few
actually In insurrection. Several vii
lagos adjacent to Cienfuegos are oc-
cupied by insurgents, but the city has
not yet been molested. Although there
had been some question of its de-
parture, the through train for Santiago
left as usual. The United Cuba rail
roads have not been seriously interfer-
ed with.
The special session of congress will
convene today. The Moderates in eau
Gus decided to back President Palma's
course in all respects.
One of the great questions that is
slowly but definitely cropping out ms
the result of the instruction is that of
race the Moderates in general con
demnIng the insurgents as mob of
negroes led by white men of lower
character than the negroes themselves
The newspapers comment favOrably
upon the appearance Of American war
ships In Cuban waters.
After reading a dispatch from Wash
ington, in which Secretary of the Navy
Bonaparte was quoted as saying that
there would be no landing of United
States forces In Cuba except In the