The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1906-10-18
MT YET READY
TO ANNOUNCE
WHEN COMMISSION WILL WITH
DRAW FROM CUBA.
FAIR ELECTIONS WANTED
Before Surrendering the Reins of the
Government to the Natives 300
: Men Have Been Disbanded.

Havana. The United States gov
erament Through its peace commits
sllcaers is net ready to announce when
it will withdraw from the Island of
Cuba and surrender the reins of gov
erRment to the Cubans. This action
cannot be taken until the time ar
rlves when fair elections are as
sured.
This statement was made by Gov.
Taft as sort of a valedictory ad-
dress to the revolutionists committee
with which the American commission
ers deal in inducing the rebels to
cease hostilities and negotiate peace
The committee had a conference with
Gov.Taft, assistant Secretary of State
Bacon and Charles E. Magoon, who
is to succeed Mr.. Tart as provisional
governor, and at its conclusion ex-
pressed satisfaction with the posi-
tion taken by the provisional govern
msnt.
Headed by Alfredo Zayas, The COM
mittee visited Gov. Taft for the avow-
ed purpose Of requesting him to de-
clare the policy Of the provisional gov
ernor concerning appointments to pub
Lis Office.
The Americans listened carefully to
all the representations of the commit
tee and then Gov. Taft replied point
edly that he could not outline the pol
icy Of the United States he was just
as anxious to surrender government
al Affairs to the Cubans as the Cubans
were to regain them, but the respon-
sibility to build up conditions which
would make the Cuban government a
stable one.
Gov. Taft would not predict when
such satisfactory condition would be
reached but he said the Cubans them
selves could hasten that time if they
were disposed to do so. A fair and
honest election on the results of which
the Cuban people were willing to abide
Gov. Taft declared, was necessary be-
fore the United States would feel just
fled In withdrawing from the island.
Senior Zayas, Carlos Garcia and
Jose Miguel Gomez fastened to assure
Gov. Taft that it was not their per-
sonal ambition to obtain public office
Hhey decided, however, that the inter
ests Of their party demanded that the
government should not be continued
in the form against which they had
revolted.
Assurances were given the commit
tee by Mr.. Taft that Mr.. Magoon
would consider complaints against any
official, investigating them and remove
persons found unfit to hold positions
Of responsibility or trust, but the ca
pable men with good records would be
retained. The committee informed
Gov. Taft that they intended to dis
solve at once.
A committee representing many
Americans in Cuba presented Messrs.
Taft and Bacon with an address ex-
pressing appreciation for the great
services they had done for all resi-
dents of the island.
Responding to this address Gcv.
Taft expressed his sincere thanks. He
said the testimony Of Americans and
Said the testimony Of Americans and
been equally great assistance at the
outset of the peace commissioners
work.
The disarmament commissioners
sent to Santa Clara province, Her.
nandez and Monteamudo have return
ed here and report to Gov. Taft that
they have disarmed and disbanded all
the forces in that province. More than
S,600 men have been disbanded and
1Oe0 rifles surrendered to the provis-
ional government and have been
brought into Havana. Reports Of
trsuble In various places are, pouring
in, but Gov. Taft says that investiga-
ton shows them not to be serious.
I've battalions from the 18th and
two from the 18th infantry and COM
pany B of the hospital corps arrived
here today on the transports Monte
rey and Niagara AID proceeded to
Camp Columbia. Two squadrons Of
the 18th cavalry left Camp Columbia
today for Santa Clara City.