Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-14
ENDEAVOR|NG
To- Be NEUTRAL
This Governments Policy in
Dealing With Cuba.
RECALL OF THE SAILORS
Did Not Want to Appear to Favor
Palma.
NAVAL CoMMANDER's ACTION
Step Was Taken at the Request of Mr..
Sleeper, in Charge Of American
Affairs in Havana.
NAVAL CoMMANDER's ACTION

Cuba is the sole topic of coversation in
that part of official Washington which is
dealing with the disturbed situation in the
island republic. The State Department, un-
der instructions from Oyster Bay, is direct
ing the policy of the government In the
present crisis, the Navy Department is fur
nishing the force to carry out the policy
and the War Department Is ready for any
part 1t may be asked to take if interven-
tion is decided upon. The policy of the
government is shown in the order to with
draw from Havana all forces save such
as may be required to guard the United
States legation. To have allowed force
of more than one hundred bluejackets to
camp around the palace of the President
of Cuba might be construed as taking sides
in favor of the Palma government.
Strict neutrality between the warning fac
tions, but with every possible precaution to
protect American life and property, is de-
clared to be the policy of the United States.
The navy acting under orders from the
President, is preparing to furnish such force
as may be necessary to carry out that
policy. If the ships already selected for
duty in Cuban waters are not sufficient
others will be dispatched. Those ships
which were destined for duty elsewhere and
were leisurely Quitting for cruise in
Santo DOMINICAN waters have been under
rush orders and will soon SAIL There are
many other vessels available and no ques-
ton arises regarding the sufficiency of the
naval force ready for all emergencies which
may arise in Cuba.
The landing of 120 sailors by Commander
Colwell and the subsequent withdrawal of
nearly the entire force on orders from
Washington have caused considerable COM
q reflection
on the officer is involved in the action.
Under the instructions which he received
when he departed tor Cuba he was to put
his force at the disposal of the diplomatic
authority in Cuba, which is vested in
Charge Sleeper. His action in landing a
force was at the request of the charge, and
1t is pointed out at the Navy Department
that officer could refuse request of
that kind from the diplomatic representa-
tive OF his country. In limiting the force in
Havana the State Department has empha-
sized the declarations heretofore made that
neither political party is to be supported by
the United States.
/ Mr.. Sleeper's Report.
An official report was received last night
by Acting Secretary of State Bacon from
Mr.. Sleeper, charge, regarding the landing
of the men. The report was not made pub
lie, but it was announced officially shortly
afterward that the sailors were landed
from the Denver solely and simply for the
protection of the lives and property of
American citizens; that such action was in
pursuance of a discussion between Mr.
Sleeper, the charge, and the naval COM
mander, with the belief that it was wise
precaution, looking to the protection Of the
lives and property of Americans. There
was no intention, it is stated, to do other
wise than safeguard American interests,
and the services of the sailors were to be
utilized only in case of disorders within the
city which threatened such interests; that
the landing in any way contemplated the
protection of either the Cuban government
or the insurrectionary government or Pres
ldent Palma or any other persons than
American citizens was disclaimed officially
and 1t was pointed out that that statement
could not be emphasized too strongly.
Mr.. Sleeper's cablegram reported the
landing of the sailors and explained the
purpose of the landing. The announcement
that the sailors had been ordered back to
ship, except for the small legation detach-
ment, was made at the State Department
very soon after the receipt of Mr.. Sleeper's
official report. That the landing was not
made under instructions from Washington
was made plain, but the reasons that actu-
ated Commander Colwell, commanding the
Denver, We're set forth in his dispatch.
Acting Secretary Bacon was at the White
House for some time fast night and left on
the 1890 o'clock (midnighD train for Oys-
ter Bay.
Rear Admiral Converse, chief of the Nav
igation Bureau. is acting as Secretary of
the Navy during the absence in Oyster Bay
of Secretary Bonaparte, and he is referring
all inquiries for information to the Presi-