The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-03
CUBA TO HAVE SECOND CHANCE
PRESIDENT TALKS 1T OVER WITH
CABINET OFFICERS.
s,rOnEl, Opposes spread OF the Annexation
Idea Likely TO send special Message
10 Congress on the subject Hopes
10 Hurry Restoration or Control.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2.-If those who
doubted he expressed purposes Of the Ad-
uini-tration in taking over the direction
II Government affairs in Cubs had attended
a meeting at the White House to-day be-
tween President Roosevelt and the members
ftbe Cabinet who are in Washington their
doubts would have been removed by a
frank and clear explanation made by the
President. He left no room even for sus-
ricion that tho occupation Of the island by
American troops was to be more than
temporary unless Congress decreed other
wise, and he expressed the conviction that
Congress would not go contrary to the Ad-
ministration's wishes.
The President said that it was his policy
10 restore the government OF Cuba to the
Cubans, Just as soon as law and order had
been established in the island. Federal
elections held and the new officers Of the
republic installed.
Throughout the day the President ex-
pressed himself in the same vein to others
with whom he talked. He declared with
emphasis that he did not want to annex
Cuba and was opposed to any such sug-
~eestion, In his opinion the American occu-
ration will not last more han a few months,
and the President will do all in his power to
expedite the resto ration Of normal condi-
tons, 50 that the American troops nay be
withdrawn as soon rs possible.
For all that has been lone since the ar
nval at Havana Of Secretary Taft and
Assistant Secretary Bacon the President as
sumes full responsibility. The prOclama-
ton which Mr.. Taft issued was approved
BY the President before it was made public.
1t was evident from what the President
sad to-day that while he regretted the
necessity Of the step that had been taken
he believed that no other course was open
to him. Correspondence has been COM
piled at the State Department with a view
10 its publication at an early date which will
show that before Mr.. Taft and Mr.; Bacon
went to Cuba the President made
efforts to bring about peace in the island.
Through Jacob Sleeper, the American
Charge d'Affairs, he undertook to secure
an amicable solution Of the troubles be
tween the Palma Government and the
revolutionary party.
ntpOIlS VI Auc pTOKTcSS Oh IUS uDTlHluR
which had come to the President through
diplomatic and other confidential agencies
appeared to show that the life OF the infant
republic was threatened and that it might
die if something were not don to put an
end promptly to the rebellion. Satisfied
that these things were tnle, and having
made every other efo to produce harmony,
the President sent Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Bacon
tokfavuna a. Asiast step in the direction Of
peace.
The President made 1t plain also to-day
that he had no intention OF calling a special
session OF Congress to consider he Cuban
situation. According to the view which
he takes there is no occasion to secure
legislative authority under present con-
ditions. In assuming control OF Cuba in
the name of the United States the Adj
ministration acted under the authority
conferred upon this Government by the
Plat Amendment, which is aFederal statute
and was Incorporated in the Cuban Con-
%ktltution.
The President could not, however, annex
TIE island without the authority of Congress,
and as there ia no thought OF annexation
the necessity for legislative action at this
time does not exist.
While the President may rave some
thing to say about Cuba in the regular
annual message which he will send to con-
gross in December, it is probable that he
will review the matter at length in a special
communication to he transmitted later.
This special message is expected to be a
strong anti-lnnexation document. The
feeling here is that the attitude OF the Presi-
cent will tend to quell any agitation that
may be started in behalf Of annexation.
When the Cuban republic has beer re-
stored, as the Administration in Washing
ton is firmly convinced it will be, promises
will be eXacted from the new Government
TO observe a strict course Of conduct in
the future. It il understood that once
the management of affairs is restored to
the Cubans President Roosevelt will de-
liver a warning in very explicit terms which
will leave no room for doubt that a revival
OF disorders will probably mean the end OF
Independence.
Inaddition TO the members Of his Cabinet;
the President talked about Cuba with
prominent men to-day. Among them was
Senator Foraker OF Ohio, who il a member
OF the Committee on Foreign Relations
and chairman Of tho Committee on the
Pacific Islands and Porto Rico. Mr..
Foraker is not entirely satisfied with the
action Of this Government in taking charge
Of Cuban affairs and told the President so.
but their conversation Is understood to
have been entirely friendly. Interest was
aroused over Mr.. Foraker's visit from the
iact that since differences arose between
the President and himself over the railway
rate legislation he had kept away from the
White House. In the last session Of Con-
, gTess he went to see the President only onCe
and then merely 20 present h members
OF the Greek letter fraternity Of which
Mr.. Foraker lie a member.
The members Of the Cabinet who we're
present at to-day's meeting, the first in
hree months. were Secretary Root, Attor-
ney-General Moody, Postmaster-Gener
Sortelyou; Secretary Bonaparte, Secretary
wilson and Secretary Metcalf.