Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-09-30
UNCLE SAM NOW IN CHARGE
Secretary Taft Pr,Olaimi Himself Pro-
visioual Governor OF Cuba.
ACTION ATTRACTS LITTLE ATTENTION
only AppreciabIe Eject IL to slim
uIate Business which Has Been
Practically interrupted for
six weeks.

HAVANA, Sept 2e.-with far less osten-
tation than accompanies the accession of
a municipal administration. the govern
ment of Cuba was formally taken over
today by william II. Taft, secretary of
war OF the United States, who, in a
proclamation couched In kindly and
diplomatic tone indicative of the policy
he would pursue, declared himself pro-
visional governor Of the island.
Promptly at noon Governor Taft, AS
sstant Secretary of State Bacon and Cap
tain Mccoy. Governor Tafts aide de camp
called officially at the palace and paid
their respects to the retiring president
ignoring President Palma's message TO
congress on Friday, in which he wrongly
interpreted the mission of the American
mediatorist Governor Taft spoke kindly
TO Senior Palma, to whom he said, the
people OF Cuba owed an unquestionablc
debt Of gratitude. President Paima's brief
reply was devoted entirely to an express
sion of relief for the opportunity Of shift
ing the burden OF guiding the tempestuous
republic.
No Interruption I'm Business.
The fact that the government changed
hands from a position of absolute indie
pendencc to the restraint ~ temporary
protector. etc. was received by the masses
with utter indifference. Most of the refined
and thoughtful Cubans while they feel In
certain sense the loss Of the islands
sovereignty. are inclined to hope that the
United States protectorate will be brief. A
Cuban returning TO Havana TODAY after n
brief absence would not have recognized
from the general attitude OF the people that
the form Of government had been altered.
Business continued the same, except for
I hi. Il
chants. manufacturers and railroads to re-
gain their former trade throughout the
island. which has been at a standstill since
the beginning of the revolution six weeks
! ago Although It was known Friday that
an American provisional government could
! not be avoided and despite the fact that it
became reality today, the last twenty
| four hours have been the most quiet since
the arrival OF President Roosevelts medi
ators ten days ago.
Cuban Flag stu Flies.
Governor Taft, with true appreciation Of
| the seriousness OF the Cuban people. was
careful I'm taking up his new duties and
| abstained from any act that might have
! been construed by them as humiliating
| His decision not to lower the flag OF the
republic was taken on his own responsi-
billy. as Friday night he was unable to
! get into communication with President
Roosevelt because OF a defect in the wire
less apparatus on the vessel on which the
president was proceeding to Provincetown
| Mass. He felt however, that President
Roosevet's friendship for Cuba would
prompt him to approve this act of courtesy
to the broken republic
People Generally Pleased.
An American provisional government as
suned possession OF Cuba today. whcr
Secretary Taft's proclamation declaring
himself provisional governor of the island
was formally issued. The proclamation
was published in the Oficial Gazette ant
thousands of printed copies of the docu
ment were distributed in Havana and else
where.