Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-21
FOUR MORE WAR
SHIPS NOW AWAIT.
CALL TO ARMS
Two BattIeships and Two
Cruisers Arrive at Havana.
REBELS FIRE ON SAILORS
Marietta Bluejackets Returned the
Volley and They Fled.
VEHEMENT APPEALS TO ENJOYS
Secretary Taft Advises Leaders on
Both Sides Not to Engage in
Further Agitation.
Marietta Bluejackets Returned the
Volley and They Fled.
VEHEMENT APPEALS TO ENJOYS

Two battleships and two cruisers
arrived at Havana this morning.
1t is reported that the sailors from
the Marietta were fired on by the
rebels and the fire returned, where
upon the rebels fled. Secretary Taft
is being besieged with mass of
testimony showing that feuds have
existed for years in Cuba. The
Secretary is advising leaders not to
engage in fruitless agitation and
further handicap intervention. Lib
erals and moderates are both show
ing a stubborn front.
HAVANA. September PA crisis in the
attempts of the American mediators to set
tie the Cuban quarrel appears to be ap-
preaching. The indications today seem to
be that Secretary Taft will not be able to
settle the difficulty without definite and real
American intervention.
Secretary Taft was uncommunicative to-
day. but 1t is known that he has been in
frequent communication with President
Roosevelt, and reported conditions here to
be far worse than he had supposed.
HAVANA. September 2l.-The United
States battleships Louisiana and Virginia
and the cruisers Cleveland and Tacoma ar
rived here this morning
HAVANA, September 21.-La Discussion
publishes dispatch from Cienfueeos say
ing that bluejackets from the American
gunboat Marietta, who were garrisoning
the Soleda sugar estate, have been fired on
by rebels. The Americans returned the fire
and the rebels fed.
A Tangle Of Feuds.
Special Cablegram to The Star.
HAVANA, September 2I-Dispatches re-
ceived here today from Havana make it
appear that Secretary Taft Is being over
whelmed with a mass of evidence more or
less directly bearing upon the situation
created by the revolution. 1t now seems
that stories of feuds dating back year
or more and bewildering number Of griev-
ances, real and Imagined, are being brought
TO him by one faction or the other. All
this. 1t Is declared, is tending to confuse
tAc ISSUES involved, anu making IL
difficult to formulate clear-cut points Of dif-
ference. For this reason the situation is
Z becoming increasingly difficult.
Another complication seems to be the
stubbornness OF both the liberals and the
moderates. Each party makes vehement
appeals 10 the American ENJOYS to support
their contentious. 1t is gathered from the
dispatches that neither side can perceive
anything but good In their cause and utter
baseness in that of their opponents How
ever, Secretary Taft says he believes that
when they are brought face to face with
the danger of losing their independence
they Will be more inclined to give in and
make concessions to save their country
Secretary Taft's Advice.
The only advice which Mr. Taft has so
far given to the political leaders is that
they should not engage in further agitat ion
that might make intervention by the United
States necessary. This advice he offers
freely TO all to whom he gives audience. re-
CARELESS of party Mr.. Taft has made it
clear that the United States is not seeking
to exercise control over the island or any
OF Its affairs. but he has quoted President
Roosevelt's letter to Minister Quesada TO
the effect that the United States has a
duty which 1t cannot shirk. To those whom
he has met in conference Mr.. Taft has said
that now is the time to decide whether they
would have Cuba live as a nation
Whether the men they have met in Ha-
vana represent the sentiment Of the entire
island is question that is troubling the
American mediators. There Is some fear
that even II the enlargement Is straight
ened out here the opposing forces in Santa
Clara and Pinar del Rio provinces, and
even in Santiago, will not be satisfied Mr.
Taft realizes that unless the national spiri,
is aroused the commercial interests will
have no confidence In any settlement that
may be reached. On this point the medi-
ators are confronted with their chief diff
Guilty for no way has been devised to learn
the sentiment of those in the field without
treating with armed forces. which might
be regarded as recognition of the insur-
gents. Senator Alfredo Zayas is generally
recognized rs the official representative OF
the revolution. but he cannot claim that
distinction in negotiating with Secretary
Taft. as that would make him revolution
ist and terminate free intercourse with
President Roosevelt's representative.