The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-21
UNCLE SAM WILL INSIST
ON PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT
More Marines Are Landed On Big
Plantations and Many other Own
srs Are cIamoring for
Protection.

Havana September 20.--A second day
of conference with the factional leaders
In the Cuban. conflict has not enabled
Secretary of War Taft and Assistant Sec
retary of State Bacon to announce any
plan for compromising the difficulty. So
strenuous are the appeals of both the
liberal and moderate party leaders that
the situation becomes increasingly COM
plieated as the negotiations proceed
However, Secretary Taft said tonight
that he believed when they are brought
face to face with the danger of losing in
dependence forever, all patriotic Cubans
will be willing to make concessions.
Occupy Delicate Position.
Mr., Taft added that the United States
peace emissaries are occupying most
delicAte position and have undertaken
to hear all complaints and that until they
have made themselves thoroughly con-
versant with the political turmoil of
Cuba, they cannot express themselves
freely in conference, fearing that pos
sibie MISUNDERSTANDING may have a
detssrent effect on the proceedings.
The only counsel to the political lead
ers given by Mr.. Taft was on the sub
ject of not engaging in further agita-
ton that might make Intervention by
the United States necessary. This ad-
vice he offers freely to all whom he gives
audience, regardless of party. Mr.. Taft
has made 1t clear that the United States
is not seeking to exercise control over
the island or any of its affairs; but he
has quoted President Roosevelts letter
IN
the United States has a duty which 1t
can not shirk.
Now Is Time to Decide.
40 those whom he has met IN confer
eice hfr. Taft has said that now Is the
time to decide whether they would have
Cuba live IS a nation. He has weighed
every word carefully and has neither up
held nor criticised the principles of either
faction.
Whether the men they have met In
Havana represent the sentiment of the
entire island Is question that Is trou-
bling the American mediators. There is
some fear that even IL the .entangle-
ment is Strengthened out here, the oppos-
Ing forces in Santa Clara and Pinar del
Rio provinces and even in Santiago will
not be satisfied.
Mr.. Taft realizes that unless the ma
tional spirit is aroused the commercial
interests will have no confidence in any
settlement that may be reached. On this
point the mediators are confronted with
their chief difficulty. for no way has been
devised to obtain the sentiments of those
in the field without treating with arm
ed forces. which might be regarded as
2 recognition Of the insurgents.
zayas Represents Revolutionlsts.
Senior Alfredo Zayas is generally regard
ed as the official representative of the
revolution, but he cannot claim that dis
tinction In negotiation with Secretary
Taft, as that would make him a revolu-
ZIONIST and terminate free intercourse with
President Roosevelt's representatives.
One sentence from Senator zayas' adj
dress as president of the liberal party Is
attracting much attention, and is showing
the relations between that party and the
insurrection. Senator Zayas said:
1.-THE liberal party is not the revolution
but the programme of revolution must be-
come the programme of the liberal party"
Senator zayas has been received by
Messrs. Taft and Bacon at the home of
Minister Morgan in Marianao more fire.
ouently than any other of the Cuban lead
ers
At today's visit he was expected to file
a brief setting forth the grievances of the
liberals, but he pleaded for more time and
was granted until tomorrow
Vice President Mendez Capote, moderate
spokesman, today filed brief declaring
the moderate position, and advancing GER
tain propositions for settling the contro-
versy BY Mr. Taft's order this brief was
sealed, and will not be taken up for con-
slderation until it can be done in connec-
<to,, xrfth tho argument of tbe opnosip0
side.
Ask Support for Government.
Mayor Cardenas and a number of prin-
cipal officials of Havana who visited
Messrs. Taft and Bacon today argued that
1t was the duty of the United States to
support the recognized government. The
Mayor undertook to assist Secretary Taft
to get in touch with the commercial in
terests, and under Mr.. Tafts instructions
will direct the several business guilds
each to name a representative to talk with
the mediators conffdentially.
The commercial affairs of Cuba have
suffered during the present brief conflict
more severely, many people say, than
throughout the ten years war. Hardly
shipment has left Havana In the last ten
days. Financial circles are aghast and
business men are waiting with great anx-
iety opportunity to meet Messrs. Taft
and Bacon and urge some radical form of
Intervention or annexation
Mo Intention of Reslgning.
Government officials say their attitude
has not changed, and deny that any of
them intend resigning. The programme
of the American peace commissioners for
tomorrow includes the hearing of business
men. including Col. s. Harvey. who was
chairman of the meeting of American
iandholders on September IS, which agreed
70 aid Secretary Taft by supplying suck