The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-09-27
TAFT REACHES CUBA
Uncle Sans Representatives
Welcomed by islanders
BEGINS WORK AT ONCE
First Call Was Upon President Palma,
Who Declared if New Election is
Held He Will Quit His Job
as Will Also Others.

Secretary of War Taft and Assistant
Secretary of State Bacon, President
Roosevelt's peace representatives, ar
rived in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday,
and met President Palma and the
members of his cabinet personally,
as we'll as the official representatives
Of those in arms against the govern
ment, and got rough general idea
of the situation from both sides. In
cidentally they received from citizens,
American naval officers and others
number of side lights on the situa-
ton.
The large crowd which was at the
wharves when the Des Moines came
in gave the distinguished party cor
dial welcome, but there was no DEM
onstration.
Probably the most significant Incl
dent Of the day was the statement
made by President Palma to Secre-
tary Taft: 'If new elections are Or
dered I shall resign the presidency"
The presidents of both the moderate
and liberal parties submitted to
Messrs. Taft and Bacon their respect
i've statements of the facts leading up
to the revolution and conduct Of the
belligerents.
Each Of the presidents will present
a written statement Of the peace
terms to which they are willing to
agree. General Menocal, represenv1ns
the veterans, also related the efforts
10 has made fer peace and the difficult
ties he has encountered, and gave his
opinion as to what courses hold any
rlomise of An amicable settlement.
4 committee Of Isle Of Pines Amer
cans also appeared, but got little satis'
faction. their attorney simply present
ing a statement of their grievances,
which was not taken up.
Wednesdays hearing began at the
home of Minister Morgan, in the VII
lase of Marianao. which is only three
miles from the advanced insurgent
forces. The hearings were held pri-
vately in a room adjoining the libra
~, no one being present except those
directly interested and newspaper
men.
Secretary Taft informed Vice Pres
iient Mendez Capote, Senator Alfredo
Zayas and General Menocal that the
initial conferences would be purely
preliminary, and that all would be
heard again. Vice President Mendez
Capote was given an appointment for
10 O'Clock Thursday and Senator Zay-
as for o'clock.
After the hearings Secretary Taft
said that he had just begun his work,
and that it was evident that the mis-
sion upon which he came would re-
ouire more time than he had expect
ed. He iatimated that ten days would
be required, but he could not say
whether it will be necessary to visit
insurgent camps or other cities.
He was pleased that representatives
OF every faction had appeared, con-
sidering that this augurs well for the
success Of the mission. Mr.. Taft said
that he expected to talk also with
representatives of commercial inter-
ests.
A private telegraph wire has been
strung from Minister Morgan's house
to the cable Office In order that
Messrs. Taft and Bacon may be able
to report direct to President Roose'
Welt.
During Secretary Taft's visit to
President Palna earlier in the day,
the latter spoke freely of the situation,
and the future possibilities, adding
that in the contingency Of a genera!
election being ordered he would not
feel that it would be consistent In him
to continue as president. No member
Of the government, President Palma
said, would consent to general elec'
ticn.