The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-09-21

American Interests.
1aFah September 1.-THE only
results mus far OF President Palma's
order Tor the suspension OF hostilities
nave been that liberal leaders. VIII
hitherto have had every reason for
arrest, are circulating
openly in Havana again. and even com
ferring with members Of the GOVERN
fnent with regard to peace. and that
such insurgents in the field as have
beer consulted, while they express
themselves as agreeable To s~attIira
matters arnicably, at the same time as
sumo an Independent attitude which
cannot be said to bode particularly
well for a prompt settlement Of ex-
listing difficulties.
III the meanwhile Cienfuegos is in a
state of siege, communication nv tele-
graph brlng severed not only in the di-
rectlon of Havana but to Santiago as
wen. II Is known that Cienfuegos had
not peen attacked up TO midnight
sunday, but what has transpired since
tlld time Is not known here.
All accounts agree that there are
easily 5'o0o insurgents a few miles
southeast of Havana, and rumors are
in circulation that they will enter the
city ~peaceably if they are not molested.
but they will fight if the meet with
resistance. All visitors to ~surgent
camps IN Havana province return with
tnlS impression; but it is believed no
attempt VIII be made against Havana
until the arrival of Pine Grerras'
force, which now is variously reported
to be from twenty to forty miles dis
tant. The general impression is that
the presence in Havana harbor Of the
American cruiser Denver will not act
as a deterrant to such a movement
the auxiliary cruiser Dixie having
gone to Cienfuegos and the cruiser Des
MONIES having gone presumably to
bring to Cuba Secretary of Wa Taft
and Assistant. Secretary of State
Bacon.
The announcement from Washing
ton that American vessels Of war will
protect British as we'll as American
interests is taken as applying especial
~ to C~lenfuegOs, where the English
owned Cuba central railroad has been
Obliged to suspend operations, and
has suffered considerable damage to its
property. The Western railroad, also
a British enterprise, is not now suf-
ferlng special damage except in the
vicinity of Havana, and it is expected
that traffic on this latter line will be
completed re-opened tomorrow.
The executive committee of the mod
crate party at a meeting this afternoon
voted to continue its efforts for peace.
Terms were informally discussed.
1t is generally agreed that Secretary
of War Taft must be the eventualar-
bitter, and both in Cuba and foreign
business circles the hope is freely ex- |
pressed that not only will the United
States settle the present strife, but
n American government will re-
TO prevent a repetition Of the past :
experiences. .
Washington. September 17.-COm-
mander Colwell. Of the cruiser Denver.
at Havana. t~elegraphed the navy de-
partment today that all was quiet in
Havana. Hosi1ities formally ceased
yesterday and a definite settlement Of
the troubles seemed very possible to-
day. Formal renewal Of h0stilities is
probable.
This reassuring dispatch together
with the visi7 of Secretary Taft and
Secretary Bacon indicates that
movement toward peace in Cuba is
we'll under way.
At the some zine no changes have
been in the naval programme. The
Louisiana was given orders 10 proceed
south to the drill grounds below the
Chesapeake Capes and when Joined by
he Virginia TO continue south to Ha-
Tana. The New Jersey was ordered 10
proceed independently Of these two
ships TO Havana and is nov on her way
By wireless the navy department was
informed his afternoon that the Lou
siana and Virginia had passed the
and were sailing southwark ar a
speed of twelve knots an hour. The
Newark sailed from Norfolk this after
and the Minneapolis will sail from
league Island tomorrow morning
With the force already "a Havana and
hat which will be there IN q few days
he navy department feels assured that
will be amply able 10 prevent any
rouble in Havana
The navy department has been in
ormed that the Des Moines will arrive
L Tampa Bay at midnight. The
rain bearing Secretary Taft and parry
vas reported three hours late this af-
ernoon % that the Des Moines will be
head of time and ready 10 -ake them
board when they arrive.
The Dixie is expected 10 arrive at
tomorrow afternoon. 4 re-
,ort has been received from Cienfuegos
aging that gross outsages have been
committed in this vicinity and q plan
alton near TO the Constancia plan-a-
ion had been burned and the Con-