Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-09-22
CUBANS SLOW
TO MAKE PEACE
1t Is Believed Secretary Taft Will
End Troubles in Cuba
U. s wARsHIPs AT HAVANA

Havana. Sept s-Notwithstanding
some appearance OF activity. no de-
sisive progress was made in the peace
negotiations. A few peace seekers went
westward In automobiles. with the idea
Of reaching and conferring with Pine
Guerra, the insurgent leader. In Pinar
del Rio province. and others visited
Loynaz Del Castillo. the commander of
the insurgent forces in Havana prov
ince. but the only definite thing re-
ported is that the insurgents in the
field are not willing 10 enter on nego-
tiations until ali the conspiracy pris-
oners shall have been released.
While IL is possible that the leaders
may reach a basis of agreement in
time 10 present II 20 Secretary OF War
Taft and Assistant Secretary OF State
Bacon when they land here. there Is
nothing to show that such a basis has
been reached as yet. and there is every
evidence that II IL is reached IL will not
be accepted by the insurgent follow
ing.
Considerable earnestness has beer
shown by some OF the leaders looking
towards a settlement upon acceptable
terms. but others. and notably sc
among the Moderates. appear TO be sat
isied TO let the case rest as il Is until
IL can be adjudicated by President
Roosevelts representatives. The Lib
erals are more anxious to place them
selves In a position which may be con-
that OF the government. and conse-
ouently they are more persistently
active.
While no acceptable basis OF peace
appears 20 have been suggested by
either side. the impression is general
that Secretary Taft will take up the
work OF peacemaking with small con.
sideration for past grievances. the mair
idea being rather constructive meas.
ures for the future.
Stories OF the latest encounters show
that the government forces are not
equal in numbers to the insurgents
The latter consequently had the ad.
vantage in the last fight. which tooh
place at Los Palacios between a gov
ernment force under Colonel Avalos
and insurgents under Pine Guerra The
hght was stopped by the timely appear.
ance OF Guerra's brother and others or
a peace mission. but not before Pine
Guerra had occupied the town and his
followers had done more or less loot.
ing. The rebels had one man killed
and two wounded. The government
soldiers had Is killed and 30 wounded
The insurgents In Havana province
are resting quietly and awaiting devel.
opments Whether those in SAINTS
Clara province are doing likewise is
not positively known on account OF the
interruption OF telegraphic communi.
cation.
The three American warships are the
most imposing and interesting objects
In Havana bay. Their presence. unde-
signedly yet pointedly. is typical Of the
fact that & is the intention OF the Unit
ed States to take a hand in Cuban af-
fairs to the extent at least OF bringing
order out Of the present chaotic condi-
tions.
The cruiser Des Moines arrived Sat
urday and the auxiliary cruiser Dixie,
with ESQ marines on board and ready al
q moments notice TO land field pieces
and rapid-five guns. came later. and
was ordered to proceed to Cienfuegos.
II is believed that the small force OF
the gunboat Marietta is not considered
a SUFFICIENT guard. owing to the condi
tons ia the besieged city.
Felipe Romero. who was instrumen.
tai in reviving the peace negotiations.
said that the insurgents outside of Ha-
vana were ready TO resort TO arms nj
a moments notice II evidence devei-
oped OF lack OF faith on the part OF the
government but that they were anx-
ious TO accelerate the peace efforts ii
Justice was done. He added that the
presence OF the cruiser Denver had
nothing TO do with their remaining out
OF Havana.
Romero asserted that until now
President Palma was not fully cogni-
zant OF the strength of the insurgents
The Liberals. he said, are satisfied that
President Palma is conscientious. but
insist that alleged election ulegalities
and injustices must be rectihed.