The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-09-24
TAFT HAS
A SCHEME
ENJOYS Gather lnsursent
Chiefs in Confab.
ALL AWAIT OUTCOME
Havana Business Men Have No
Confidence In Cubans as
Rulers.
ALL AWAIT OUTCOME

HAVANA. sept. pa Secretary Taft
has n plan for saving the sovereignty
Of The Cuban republic. lie says he has
n tangible scheme. but will not disclose
its exact character. IL Is not victory
Tor either political party, but contem.
plates radical concessions by both.
Secretary Taft and Acting Secretary
Of State Bacon had n conference with
upward OF a score OF leaders OF the
revolution. aud Il was announced that
the lnsurgcnt chiefs had made certain
concessions for peace.
IL Is said here that the American
plans for peace will include the reten-
ton OF President Palma In Office, but
will provide for the election OF a new
congress or. In lieu OF that, FOR the re-
construction Of the cabinet. Pending n
settlement OF the lnsurrection the
American warshlps In the harbor are
ready 10 land men, In addition 10 those
now on shore. up 10 the number OF
1000 n necessary 10 protect American
lives and property.
Generals Mcnocal and Gramonte call.
ed TO congratulate Messrs. TAFT and
Bacon on their success In bringing the
Moderate and the Liberal leaders 70 a
realization OF the necessity OF each
making some concessions
The veterans evidenced sympathy
with many OF the principles for which
the insurgents took up arms. They
suggested that the first basis OF the
negotiations should be for the revision
OF the Cuban constitution. alleging that
IL confers too much power and too lit
lie responsibility upon the members OF
the cabinet. "Cubans are too hot
bloodcd 10 be given unlimited powers, "
said General Menocal.
The nearest lnsurgent camp. near Ia
Lisa. Just west Of Marianao. has been
visited by great crowds Of Havanese-
Encouraged 10y the reports that peace
was imminent the people for the first
time dared TO crafty their curiosity
and to show their great sympathy with
the revolutionary cause.
All classes are now waiting for the
conditions under which tranquility will
be restored in Cuba, and keen disap-
pointment is expressed on every side
because OF the likelihood Of peace be
ing brought about without armed
American Intervention.
That the differences Of the opposing
factions could be reconclled was not
believed to be possible until now, when
II was announced that the Liberals
and the insurgents had agreed TO a
peace conference with the American
mediators.
II Is evident that the business inter
ests of the island have no confidence
in the ability of the Cubans to rule
themselves, and now, when II appears
too late. they are openly favorlng forci-
bic Intervention and possible annexa-
ton. Secretary Of War Taft Is cog
infant of this general opinion that
peace cannot last unless 1t is enforced
by an American army, but he consid
ers that it is the duty Of the United
States to give the republic another
chance and believes that II would be
bad policy for the United States to
keep a force In Cuba longer than was
required to supervise the laying down
OF arms. He said that If the Liberals
and Moderates harmonIze their differ
ences the United States must regard
the compact as made in good faith.
That peace will come as the result OF
the mediation Of the United States Is
now believed by Cubans, regardless of
party affillation, but whether 1t will be
on terms which will insure permanent
tranquility is questioned.
There was considerable comment
over the fact that salute Of nineteen
guns was given Secretary Taft when
he visited the warshlps. Previously
he had been given the usual seventeen
guns, to which the secretary of war
is entitled The two extra guns means
that he is recognized as an ambassador
extraordinary on a special mission
with plenary powers from President
Roosevelt.