The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-20

DOWNFALL or the CUBAN Government.
That portion of Secretary Tafts re-
port dealing with Cuba is an Illuminating
exposition of the causes leading 10 the
scuttle OF the Palma government and of
the methods employed by the Moderate
party TO bring about the Intervention Of
the United States. Mr.. Tafts mission so
Cuba was one Of Cancellation. He was
an almoner of peace, not an agent Of
intervention. President RoOsevelts policy.
up 10 the very last moment, was the
avoidance of intervention Both the Presi-
dent and the Secretary of War Iab0red
increasingly to bring the warning Cuban
factions together. so that the Cuban gov
eminent might continue its existence IN
der the provisions of its constitution A
strong attempt was made 10 keep Presi-
dent Palma IN Office and induce the Mod
crates to agree to the electoral reforms
demanded by the Liberals. then under
arms against the government The aego-
uaIOns conducted by Secretary Taft with
those ends in view came 10 nothing.
President Palma resigned. the Cuban
Congress refused to meet to accept his
resignation and provide his successor. ac-
cording to constitutional methods. the
fabric Of the government fell 10 pieces,
and nothing remained but Intervention
and the institution Of the provisional gov
eminent which now exists
Why was it impossible for Secretary
Taft TO carry out his original policy of
mediation and peaceful termination Of the
differences between the government and
the revOutionists? The answer is that
the mission undertaken by Mr.. Taft un-
der the Instructions Of President Roose-
welt was not the form of Intervention an
tcipated and desired by President Palma
and the Moderate party. That party had
carried the election of 1905 by fraud and
coercion for the purpose of insuring unan-
imous support in the Cuban Congress of
the Palma regime, under which Cuba
had been prospecting. In other words.
the Palma party endeavOred TO maintain
what they considered a stable government
capable of unfolding the continuity Of
national policy. Such a government, they
seemed to think, would be entitled 20 the
support Of the United States should any
forcibie attempt be made 10 overturn IL.
Should an uprising follow their coercion
of the electorate, it was thought. as Mr..
Taft says there was reason to suspect.
that the Plat amendment and the in
PREVENTION of the United States would
supply the force needed to suppress any
such uprising"
Neither President Roosevelt nor his as
tute Secretary of War fell into the trap
laid by the Palma government. It became
evident very soon after Mr.. Taft's arrival
that the plan of the Palma government
was to force armed intervention Palma
and his cabinet advised Mr. Taft that the
only course TO pursue was TO make war
on the insurgents. The Moderates evil
IDENTIFY wanted Intervention for the pur-
pose, among other things. OF placing the
revOluuOnists in an attitude of revolt
against the United States, and shifting to
our shoulders the responsibility Of sup
pressing the instruction. Palma's war
like advice. fortunately, was disregarded.
Mr., TAFT clearly saw that the Liberals
had a reasonable grievance. He quickly
found that they were willing to assent 20
q compromise, and to lay down their
arms under promise Of general amnesty.
The compromise proposed that new CON
gressional elections be held under a fair
electoral law. and that Palma serve out
his term rs President It was Mr. Taft's
belief that such an election would have
returned a Congress composed Of a fairly
balanced representation Of the two par
ties
But President Palma and his friends
would have nothing to do with the COM
promise plan. They declared it impracti-
cable and useless. Palma accused Taft of
haroorins prejudice against the Moder-
ates. Then the policy of scuttle was ex-
ceuted The Moderates. 10 use MI Tafrs
humorous phrase, took away their dolls
and refused to play. They deliberately
set about 10 wreck the government, SO as
to secure our intervention. Palma sent
his resignation TO Congress. but that body