The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-09-19
Sec. TAFT Goes TO HAVANA
Cuban Congress Confers Unlim-
tied Power on Palma.
REBEL OFFERS TO SURRENDER
Proposes to Lay Down Arms If Unit
ed States Guarantees a Fair
Trial.

President Roosevelt has ordered
Secretary Taft and Acting Secretary
of State Bacon to Cuba to make direct
inquiries into the situation on the
island.
The Cuban congress, in e%xtraordi'
nary session, indorsed all that Presi-
dent Palma has done.
The rurale guard will be increased
to 10000 men and every financial re-
source of the government devoted to
crushing the i~nsurrection.
More United States warships have
been ordered to the island, making
eight in all.
Orders have been issued to prevent
the sailing of more ships bearing
munitions of war to the insurgents
from the United States.
MIR. Roosevelt has written to the
Cuban minister, deploring the stu
alton, advising every possible meas
ure toward correcting it, and setting
forth the circumstances under which
Intervention may result.
One hundred and twenty armed sail
ors from the United States protected
cruiser Denver landed in Havana,
September IS and camped in front of
the presidents palace in anticipation
OF possible uprisings within u at
lacks upon the city.
1t was officially announced in
Washington that the sailors who were
landed at Havana from the American
cruiser Denver have been ordered to
Immediately return to their vesssl,
ave for a small guard which will be
left at the American legation.
This action followed the receipt of
an official report by Acting Secretary
of State Bacon from Mr.. Sleeper, the
American charge d'affaires at Hav-
ana, 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 citi.
zens; that such action was in pursu-
IN of a discussion between Mr..
Sleeper, the charge, and the naval
commander, with the belief that it
was a wise %precaution looking to the
protection of the lives and property
of Americans.
There was no intention, it is
stated, to do otherwise than to safe
guard American interests and the
services Of the sailors were to be
utilized only in case of disorders
within the city, which threatened
such interests.
An extraordinary incident in con.
nection with the presence of an
American force in Havana happened
when Commander Colwell was APP
preached by an accredited emissary
of Alfredo Zayas, president of the
Liberal party, and Gen. Loyanz del
Castillo, commander of the insurgent
forces in Havana province, with a
signed offer from each of the men
named to surrender their commands
and hand ove their arms to Comman-
der Colwell IN the sole condition that
the United States government,
through him, guarantee them fair and
judicial trials.
Commander Coawell, accompanied
by Charge d'Affaires Sleeper, imme-
diately carried the proposition to
President Palma. The president was
immensely pleased, and asked Com
mander Colwell if he would accept
the %surrenders. Commander Colwell
replied in the negative, but advised
the president to communicate with
the Washington government on the
subject, which was done according
ly.