New-York tribune., 1906-09-17
TAFT AND BACON GO.
The Peace Mission to Cuba LeaUes
Washington for HaUana.
IFrcm The Tribune BureauI ]

Washington. Sept. 16-Secretary Taft. Assist
ant Secretary Bacon and a party consisting Of
Captain Frank r Mccoy. F. L. Cairns, sur
veyor of the port of Manila: J. NJ. Macias. in
terpreter; William A. Newcome. secretary TO
Mr. Bacon: John G.. Rockwood secretary TO Mr..
Taft: Mr.. SchroenrIck. interpreter OF the State
Department. and two messengers left Washing
ton for Havana this afternoon at 3:45 o'clock.
The party expects TO reach Tampa on Monday
night about midnight. TO be transferred on a
quarterma5ter's boat that night TO the Des
Moines, which has been ordered back from Ha-
vana for the purpose. and TO reach Havana Far-
Dor some time in the night OF Tuesday. that
landing can be made early on Wednesday
morning
Edwin v. Morgan. the American Minister 70
Cuba, Unexpectedly Joined Secretary Taft and
Assistant Secretary Bacon in this city just as
the train left Washington to-day. He has been
In Europe since the insurrectiOn began but
will proceed TO Cuba with the Taft-Bacon party
TO resume his duties at once.
Secretary Taft has made no plans and formed
no programme for the delicate mission on which
he and Mr.. Bacon embarked to-day. They will
determine their course by the circumstances as
they find them on their arrival in Cuba but il
is their hope and expectation that their work.
when completed, may be described by the single
word mediation" While the Secretary empha-
sized to-day the delicacy of his mission and the
impossibility Of discussing it's various phases in
advance. il IS bvious that he expects by the tact
and diplomacy which have always characterized
his dealings with the Latin races. to bring about
satisfactory settlement OF the existing troubles
in Cuba In a word. the Secretary will be the
kindly elder brother. advising the young repub-
lc of Cuba, cautioning her against the evils OF
| insurrection and anarchy. warning her. perhaps.
Of the responsibility which the United States
feels for her good behavior. and by judicious
admixture OF wise counsel and brOtherly sympa-
| thy. bring her to a realization OF the unfOrtu-
| nate spectacle which she will present 70 the a.
| tions of the earth If she does not abandon her
present course and settle her differences without
! further recourse to the rifle and the machete
MAY SEE THE REBELS.
Whether or not he would have an interview
/ with the rebels. Secretary Taft said to-day he
was unable 10 state. That he will do so is gen.
orally believed. however. by those familiar with
| his methods. and considerable color is lent 10
the belief by the fact that Immediately after the
conference at Oyster Bay he telegraphed to
General Funston TO join him I'm Havana. General
Funston having served with the Cuban Hber-
ators in their struggle with Spain. and having.
il is assumed. their entire confidence
That Secretary Taft will prove successful in
and the Secretary himself is setting out with
that generous share Of optimism with which he
always undertakes the most difficult enterprises
and which never has failed him. Nothing can be
determined with regard to the necessity Of in
tervention with armed forces by the United
States in advance Of Mr. Taft's arrival in Cuba
possibly before the end OF hts mission 1t IS OBJ
vious however that the administration holds
the opinion that the executive possesses nee
essary authority under the Platt Amendment.
which by it's embodiment in a treaty has become
the supreme law Of the land. to take any steps
which may be found necessary "for the preser-
walton OF Cuban independence and the mainte-
nance of a stable government, adequately pro-
tecting life. property and individual liberty"
The question Of whether intervention I'm Cuba
would constitute an act of war which would
quire special authority from Congress has been
carefully canvassed by the President and his
advisers. and has been decided in the negative
In the discussion il was recalled that when 1t
became necessary TO land an armed force in
China and march 20 Peking TO protect the life
and property of Americans. we'll as Of the cit
izens OF other nations. President Mckinley acted
promptly and without special authority from
Congress. and that on several occasions when.
TO carry out the provisions of the treaty be-
tween the United States and Colombia, il became
necessary TO land troops on the Isthmus OF Pan
anna and to patrol the right of way Of the Pan
anna railway. such action was taken without
recourse TO Congress. but merely under the law
OF the treaty. So. too IL is held. the President
would have full authority 10 land troops in Cuba
TO carry out the provisions OF the treaty between
the United States and that country without ad-
ditionaI enactment Of Congress.
POSSIBILITY OF INTERVENTION.
At just what point the Of the United
States might properly be termed Intervention. u
is II is declared. not easy 10 decide. Having de-
termined the equities of the dispute between the
Palma administration and the insurgents. tho
United States may deem II wise 10 impose con-
ditions on President Palma. and then support
his administration. 20 the extent OF maintaining
a considerable naval force in Cuban waters.
even TO the extent OF sending troops into the
island. In extreme case. this government
may feel compelled to take possession OF the
reins OF government In Cuba. dissolve the Palma
administration and hold a election. but this
is extreme which the President and his ad-
visers are seeking earnestly 20 avoid
In any case, the administration will be pre-
pared &c take such action is necessary 10
carry out the provisions OF the Piatt amend
ment and II IS a foregOne conclusion that Sec
rstary Taft win gently point out this fact to the