Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-16
GEN, FUNSTON
MAY Be THE
PEACEMlKER
Ordered to Accompany Taft to
Cuba.
FAMILIAR WITH THE PEOPLE
High Cuban Officials Think the Pros
pect of Peace is Brighter.
RAILROAD COMMUNICATION NOW
Much Difference in the Report as to
Who Has Won the Fights-Rebels
May Yet Hold Out.

Last night at 10 o'clock high
officials of the government eX-
pressed themselves as being very
hopeful that peace measures would
soon be adopted. Meantime fight
ing continues, and there have been
losses on both sides. The island is
in a state OF turmoil, and but few
trains are running. Senator Bever-
idge expresses some forlible views
on the situation. Gen. Funston has
been ordered to Washington to ac
company the secretaries to the
island. There is much doubt as to
who has been getting the best of
the fighting. Both sides claim vic
tories.
Secretary Taft at midnight last night an
nounced that Gen. Fred Funston had been
ordered here to accompany him on his mis-
sion to Cuba.
1t is understood here that Gen. Funston.
who has been at the encampnient at
American Lake, Washington, is now on his
way east to join Secretary Taft. 1t is not
probable that he will come direct to
Washington, but may join the Taft party
in Tampa and sail with them from there.
Secretary Taft expects that Gen. Funston
will be of much service in assisting him
with the troublesome problem of bringing
about peace in Cuba.
Gen. Funston is we'll known in Cuba and
stands high in favor with all Cubans. He
served in the Cuban army holding COM
mission with the Cuban insurgents before
the United States intervened and declared
war against Spain.
That service gave him wide acquaint-
ance with the Cuban leaders, all of whom
hold him in high regard. and his influence
with them. it is believed, will be strong.
After the United States declared war
against Spain Gen. Funston entered the
United States army a volunteer and saw
service in the island. He speaks Spanish
nuently and is conversant with Cuban in
ternal affairs. After the close of the Cuban
war Gen. Funston went to the Philippines
and while In command of the Goth Kansas
Volunteers he succeeded in capturing Agul-
naldo and thus bringing to an end the Phil
ippine insurrection.
Gen. Funston's career in the army has
further been made famous by mis- course
during the earthquake disaster in San Fran
cisco. He has the confidence and the high
esteem of both the President and Secretary
Taft.
Negotiations Should Be Reopened.
Special Dispatch to The Star
HAVANA, September Ex-senator Zayas.
president of the liberal party, has written
letter to I.alucha from the rebel camp at
C;ovea. Havana province, in which he says
that the liberals are in favor of making an
other attempt to come to an agreement
with the government. He makes sighting
allusion to the endeavors Of the Cuban vet
Grams to arrange peace, and implies that
the latter acted in bad faith and beguiled
the revolutionists while the government
made preparations and awaited the arrival
of the Americans. Senator Zayas says the
negotiations should be reopened, and adds
that IL the United States government inter-
venes it should only be as a friendly arbi-
traitor. In this way. he says, the United
States will assist Cuba in maintaining her
liberty. 1t was reported last night that the
government troops under Gen. Rodriguez
had defeated the rebels In fight near Ma
rorra, eight miles from Havana. This alleged
victory is now claimed by the rebel leader
Arrencibia as a defeat for the government
troops. 1t Is said the rebels charged the
rural guards, who retreated, and some say
fled. leaving three dead on the field. The Of
ficial account of the fight says Gen. Rodri-
guez had 400 men, who defeated 1000 rebels
and drove them out of the line Of defenses
The affair. however. is believed to have
been clear victory for the rebels.
Traffic on the Western railway IS still
held up over the entire line. but the rebel
stdtcA ecASSAHPhco tht HitbdSei ot the TodQ
today that he would permit him to have the
line repaired provided no troops were car
ried over It,
Trains Running.
The United railway is running trains to
Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba. A train
arrived here safely today and the usual
train left tonight for oriente. Two small
: stations on the United railway have been