The Forrest City times., 1906-09-21
TAFT IN HAVANA
WAS WELL REcEIvED-pEAce
 PROSPECTS ARE BRIGHT.
But Palma Says He Will Resion if New Elections Are dered-All
 Quiet in the Field.

Havana.-President Roosevelt's peace representatives have arrived on the scene and met personally Pres ldent Palma and the members of his cabinet, as well as the official repre. sentatiyes of those in arms against the government, aad got rough gen. eral idea of the situation from both sides. Incidentally, they received from citizens, American naval officers and others number of side lights on the situation.
 Secretary Taft's informal, straight forward and kindly manner has all ready created a strong and favorable impression. The business of finding solution of the difficulty will be pro- ceeded with directly and consistently to it's conclusion.
 Predictions are already being made that the Cuban problem will be settled within a week, but on what basis is still a matter of conjecture. Secretary Taft himself reiterated that President Rooseyelts representatives are here with no policy except to insure peace in Cuba. ''
 During the conversation of the American secretaries with President Palma at the palace, Messrs. Taft and Bacon subscribed to the sentiments set forth in President Roosevelt's letter and expressed the hoSe that their wis it's would contribute to peace.
 President Palma reviewed the var. ious aspects of the electoral problem in Cuba. Asked whether the government had taken steps to effect a compro- mise, the president replied in the mega tive.
 Secretary Taft then asked if any revolutionary demands had been di- rectly effected by these negotiations. President Palma replied that the pro- gram of the revolutionists included the absolute annulment of the last elections and that if by compromise it should be agreed to hold partially new elections he. Palma, would no longer continue as executive, because his prestige would suffer, and, further, to do so would be drawback to constitu- tional government.
 thousand militiamen have arriv- ed here from Matanzas and have been quartered in the Cabanas fortress.
 There are insistent rumors that the uprising in Santiago province has been quelled. The cable service with Cien- fuegos and Santiago has been restor- ed. Cienfuegos reports no hostilities The provinces of Havana and Pinar del Rio are quiet.
 The presidents of both the Moderate and Liberal parties have submitted to Secretary of War Taft and Assistant Secretary of State Bacon their respec- tive statements of the facts leading up to the revolution and the conduct of the belligerents. Each of the presi. dents will at proper time present a written statement of the peace terms to which they are willing to agree. Gen. Menocal, representing the veter- ans, also related the efforts he has made for peace and the difficulties he has encountered, and gave his opin- ion as to what courses hold any prom ise of an amicable settlement
 Vice President Mendez Capote said that the government is absolutely op- posed to any plan which involves new elections. He added that he is pre- pairing a written statement of the terms which the Moderates will ac- cept.
 Senator Zayas said that he had been asked not to talk about the confer ence, but acknowledged that he had been urged to use his influence to stop he would be unable to reach distant insurgent camps in time, and pointed out that the attack by force of the insurgents under Tello Sanchez at Sancti Spiritus on September IS was violation of the governments armis- tice. Senator Zayas related to Secre- tary Taft the efforts he had made for the relief of the Liberals arrested as conspirators, and MT. Taft informed him that President Palma had stated that the prisoners under indictment would be released under bail. Sena- tor Zayas said it was imperative that Jose Miguel Gomez and others of the prisoners should assist in the peace negotiations MT Taft was careful not to commit himself to either faction, but encouraged all to talk freely. The conditions in the field are quiet, although the situation at Cienfuegos is threatening. Gen. Rodriguez said that rural guards and militia are pa trolling the outskirts and suburbs of Havana. One thousand militia from Matanzas have been removed from the Cabanas fortress to Camp Columbia. We Have lt to Sell. Mexico City.-General crop reports show corn in bad condition owing to late rains. October is likely to bring frosts in some sections, thus doing s .f