The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-05
PALMA TOOK THE INITIATIVE.
UE MADE REPEATED APPEALS
FOR INTERVENTION.

FEENluCHN V-~ ~
send soldiers TO CubR Tried 10 Bring
About Peace There IN Another way.
WARRINGTON, D. C., Oct. 1.-The Official
correspondence between Acting Secretary
Bacon OF the state Department and Consul
General Steinhart ut Havana Immediately
nrecedinR American interv ention in Cuba
was made public at the State Department
to-day. II shows the various steps which
usre taken by the President through the
Department Of State to bring about peace
IN Cuba without actual interve ntion for
a week or more before he decided to send
secretary Taft and Mr.. Bacon to the island
20 arrange an amicable settlement between
the two oontending factions. Most impor-
tant Of all, however, the correspondence
ornIains the reluctance with which the
President acted upon President Palma's
repeated appeals for Intervention. 1t
demonstrates conclusiv ely that the initia-
tive in the matter Of Intervention was TAX en-
nv President Palma, who became thoroughly
frightened because Of the growth OF the
rebel movement and the inability Of his
forces to contend successfully against it.
Through Consul-General Steinhart he
repeatedly sought to have a force Of troops
landed in the island for more than a week
before the Denver, the first Of the American
warships to go to Cuban waters since the
trouble began, reached Hav
A. early "a September IL President Palma
asked that two or three thousand troops be
sent 70 Havana TO avoid n catastrophe, and
he expressed the fear that a delay would
mean a massacre OF citizens. Strangely
enough. however, the Cuban Secretary of
State, through whom this appeal was made,
- -. n A----,a.. @.,HIsA H. La@& l..
ignorance Of intervention until the troops
should and in Cuba.
The correspondence regarding interven-
ton began on September 8 with a despatch
from Mr., Steinhart to the Secretary OF
State. as follows:
Absolutely conhd entail. Secretary OF
State Cuba has requested me. in name Of
President Palma. to ask President Roosevelt
10 send Immediately two vessels; one to
Havana. other 10 Cienfuegos: they must come
a. once. Government forces are unable to
onell rebellion. The Government ia unable
n protect life and property. President
Palma will convene Congress next Friday.
and Congress will ask for our forcible inter
%vention. IL must he kept secret and con-
hdential that Palma asks for vessels. No
one here except President. Secretary OF State
and myself know about il. Very anXiously
awaiting reply. Send answer to
~STEINHART. Consul-General.
Mr.. Bacon, the then Acting Secretary
Of State. failed to reply Immediately to this
telegram, as the President had to be con-
suited and take the matter under considera-
ton. Two days later, therefore. Mr.. Stein
hart at Havana sent to the Secretary OF
State the following:
President here worried because no reply
received my message. and asks war vessels
be sent Immediately.
SrEISHARr. Consul-General.
On that day Mr.. Bacon cabled Mr.. Stein
hart in reply as follows:
Your cable received. Two ships have
been sent. due TO arrive Wednesday. The
President directs me to state that perhaps
you do not yourself appreciate the reluctance
with which this country would intervene.
President Palma should he informed that
In the public opinion here IL would have a
most dana ging effect for intervention TO be
undertaken until the Cuban Government
has exhausted every effort in a serious at
tempt to put down the insurrection and
has made this fact evident to the world.
At present the impression certainly would
be- that there Was no real popular support
OF the Cuban Government or else that the
Government was hopelessly weak. As con-
ditiOns are at this moment we are not pre-
pared To say what shape the Intervention
should take. 1t Is. of course. a very serious
thing n undertake fOrCible Intervention.
and before going into it we should have 10
he absolutely certain of the equities of the
case and Of the needs of the situation. Mean
while We assume that every effort Is being
made by the Government TO come to a work
ing agreement which will secure peace with
the insurrectos, provided they are unable
TO hull their own with them in the field.
Until such efforts have been made we are
not prepared to consider the question OF
Intervention at all.
BACON. Acting Secretary.
In reply TO this cablegram Mr.. Steinhart
Immediately responded as follows;
Your cable received, and directly COM
inundated to the President. who asks ships
remain for a considerable time to give Sc
curity 70 foreigners in the island OF Cuba
and says that he will do a. much as possible
with his forces TO put down insurrection.
but II unable 20 conquer or compromise
Cuban Congress will indicate kind inter-
vention desirable. | appreciate reluctance
on our part to intervene. especially in view
nf Secretary Roots recent statement. Few
however, understand Cuban situation and a
less number are able to appreciate the
same. This is, Of course. without any refer
ence TO superior authority. Palma applied
public funds in public works and public
education, but not in purchase of materials.
Insurrectionists for a considerable time pre-
pared for present conditions. hence Govern
ment's apparent weakness at the commence
ment. Yesterdays defeat OF rebels gives
the Government hope. Attempts Useless from
the start. STEINHART, Consul-General.
On the following days Acting Secretary
Bacon cabled Mr.. Steinhart as follows:
Your letter Of September S has had the
careful consideration Of the President. who
for your private Information believes actual
immediate Intervention to be out OF the
question. We are conside ring. however, and
would like your opinion as to whether or not
N send a word Of emphatic warning as "a
the certainty that Intervention will come
In the end unless the people Of Cuba for the
sake Of their country find some way 10 settle
their difficulties irrespective Of personalities,
cease their contentious and live In peace
This you may convey conidentially to Presi-
dent Palma, but not for publication. You
will urge President Palma TO use in the mos'
effective manner all the resources at hi'
Command 10 quell the revolt. BACON.
On September ~ Mr.. Steinhart sent the
following cablegram to Mr.. Bacon:
Secretary Of State OF the Republic OF Cubs
NJ 90 to-day delivered to mo memorandum
In his own handwriting. a translation OF which
follows. and Ia transmitted. notwithstandinG
previous secret instructions on the subject:
Tho rebellion has increased in the prov