New-York tribune., 1906-09-13
ORDERS SHIPS TO CUBA.
President Takes Measures TO Protect
American Interests.


Washington. Sept 12-The President has or
dered two naval vessels 20 Cuba The cruiser
Denver, which sailed from New London, Conn,
several days ago for Norfolk received wireless
orders 10 proceed 20 Havana and arrived there
to-day. The gunbost Marietta, which has been
fn Cuban waters has been ordered 10 Glen
Guegos. The Des Moines has been ordered 10
Key west. where she will await orders. Il being
denied at the State and Navy departments to-
DAY. as Il yesterday. that the Des Moines is
her way Cuba In the absence OF secre-
tary Root the President has assumed entire
charge ot the Cuban situation. In so far as il
AFFECTS the United States. a fact which is not
only repeatedly asserted AT the State Depart
fnent. but which would be entirely obvious IN the
absence Of any assertion Orders are issued al
Oyster Bay and are merely put into effect at
Washington. while no one here appears 20 feel
surnoient confidence 20 make definite statements
OF the governments policy.
~ is asserted however. that the United States
has no intention Of intervening in Cuba, and
that the ordering OF naval vessels 10 Cuban
waters Is no more significant than similar action
IN the osse of Guatemala. a naval vessel having
been ordered there as soon as there were indica-
lions that the rights and property OF American
citizens were 5eopandized.
Acting Secretary BacOn said to-day that ther.
was no intention OF making a demonstration IN
Cuban waters. but that the reports Indicated the
edvisabihty of having vessels at hand in case q
became necessary 20 protect Americans and their
property.
IL Is mtimated IN naval quarters that the
president relies more on the Testimony OF naval
officers than on the press reports from Cuba,
and desires 20 have a number OF officers on the
ground so that he may profit by their observa-
lions. IL is also suggested that the departur,
Of Major Eugene I-add. who has gone 70 Cuba.
ostensibly 20 look after the property OF himself
md his brother. may have for It's chief purpose
che gathering OF information for the benefit of
the President Major Laod Is one OF the trusted
eubordinatss of the Military Secretary.
In refu;stion ot the report that this country
srtenos 20 intervene IN cuba. attention IS called
20 the fact that there no marines on either
of the vessels ordered there so that a landing
would Re impossible although there IS. OF course
q considerable force OF marines az Guantanamo
she naval base the south coast Of Cuba
There Is an obvious desire On the part OF the
administration 20 refrain as long as possible
from intervening IN CUBA hope IN fact that
fntsrvention may be entirely avoided: but there
IS also a fear that such an avoidance will uI-
fifnateiy be rendered iuraossibie.
Actual intervention would mean the use % the
army and ali the available forces would no
doubt be needed and viii be ready IL a serious
situation develops. Under present conditions
the army has been kept IN a better state OF
preparation than ever before and viii be ready
~ called on. Correspondence between the Presi-
dant the Secretary Of War and General Bell.
chief of stsr. has provided FOR all contingencies
II IS recognized that intervention would he no
holiday matter. but that army would be
necessary. and In the event of Intervention every
aveilabersnan OF the regular army will be used
and Will be sent 20 Cuba fast as possible.
the Atlantic Coast. n Is known where transports
can be obtained soon as needed. Secretary
Tar has also been interested in everything that
has been going forward. and Il is believed that
the Cuban situation has been the subject OF cor
respondence between the President and the Sec
rstaTy.
Authority for intervention In Cuban affairs IS
contained in the third article of the Plat
Amendment adopted by Congress in the Army
Appropriation bin of 1902. which reads
That the government Of cuba consents that
the United States may exercise the right 10 In
terveae for the preservation of Cuban inde-
yeaee2ce. the maintenance of gogernlnant sde-