The San Francisco call., 1906-09-19
CUBA WAITS TAFT's
ARRIVAL TODAY.
Efforts to Make Peace Are
Fruitless, and Secretary
Has Big Task Before Him
FIGHTING CONTINUES

HAvLNA .Nept. Is.-It is reported
here tonight that the insurgent leaders
are not willing 10 enter into negoti-
ations looking 10 a cessntiOn of HOSTILE
Ues until all of their comrades tmpris-
Oned by the Moderates shall be released.
Entu this is done, they declare, they
VIII form no agreement TO present to
Secretary Taft on his arrival tomorrow.
There is also disposition on the part
Of the Moderates to make no further
advances, but let the Taft party adjust
all differences.
At midnikht the American cruiser
Des Moines, With Secretary Taft on
board, was in wireless communication
with the cruiser Denver The Des
Moines viii arrive at o'clock.
Notwithstanding some appearance of
activity, no decisive progress was made
today In the peace negotiations. few
peace-seekers went westward in auto
mobiles with the idea OF reaching and
conferring with Pino Guerrero, the in
surgent leader, in Pinar del Rio prov
ince, and others visited Loyas del Cas-
tllo, the commander OF the insurgent
forces In Havana province
Considerable earnestness has been
shown by some of the leaders looking
toward settlement of terms. but
others, and notably so among the mod
crates, appear to be satisfied to let the
case rest as ii is until IL can be ad-
5uoicated by President Roosevelts rep
resentatives. The rebels are more
anxious TO be in position which may
be considered at least equally as strong
as that Of the Government, and conse-
quently they are more persistently
active.
LIBERALS FEEL REWARDED.
General Menocal stated 10 the Associ-
sted Press tonight that the important
part OF his mission was ended when he
brought the leaders together. The
Liberals feel that they accomplished
something in procuring the release of
the alleged conspirators more recently
arrested, and in inducing a cessation of
hostilities Some of their leaders also
remark on the fact that the cessation of
hostiiities was the act Of the Govern
ment.
While no acceptable basis of peace
appears to have been suggested by
either side. the impression is general
that Secretary Taft viii take UP the
work OF peace-making with small con-
sioeratton for past grievances, the
main idea being rather constructive
measures for the future.
The newest feature OF the revolution
Is the appearance OF Americans from
the Isle OF Pines complaining that Of
1cials OF the courts there are search
ing the homes OF all Americans for
firearms and seizing all arms which
may be found. The Americans there.
both radicals and conservatives. are
extremely wrathful over the action of
these officials. especially so as the con-
duct OF some of the natives lately
had caused them TO consider the neces-
sity OF having firearms within reach
They viii appeal to Minister Morgan
and Assistant Secretary Bacon tomor-
row for protection.
An Associated Press correspondent
this afternoon visited three insurgent
camps west of Havana He found all
the towns from Artenisa to Arroyo
Arenas controlled by insurgents.
FORCES TO UNITE.
Pine Guerrera's force is believed to
be camped tonight at Artemisa and it
is expected that tomorrow it will unite
with General Castillos force outside
Havana
The people Of the whole region west
Of this city sympathize with the in
surrectiOnists.
Alfredo zayas the president Of the
Liberal party. who has just returned
from an automobile trip to the west
in the course Of which he consulted
with several of the insurgent leaders,
stated that he had prevailed upon them
not 10 come within twenty miles of
Havana,
At large meeting of the Liberals
tonight Senator Alfredo Zayas said
that he had visited Jose Miguel Gomez
and other political prisoners, all of
whom he expected would be released
tomorrow by order of the Government
An insurgent force numbering 400 is
reported outside Sagua La Grande
threatening the town.
The palace authorities continue to
hold that il will be Secretary Tafts
duty 10 sustain the Palma government.