The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-09-17
PALMA ISSUES PEACE ORDERS Cuban President Publishes Decree
 SuspendIng HostHities FEARS SECRETARY TAFT
Havana Officials Hope to Settle Revo- Iutlon Before the Arrival of the American Party-Many Prls-
 oners Are Released.

Havana, September 16.-The govern ment this evening Is making final strenu- ous efforts to restore peace in Cuba. and thus avoid any kind of American inter- vention.
 The object of these endeavors, 1t is sftated, is that it may be able to say by the time Secretary of War Taft and Act ing Secretary of State Bacon arrive that peace already has been secured. and that there is no need for the American gov ernment's intervention, either to restore peace or to insure permanent tranquil ity.
 Members of the government informed the Associated Press that they are mak- Ing the effort in accordance with the ad- vice contained in President Roosevet's letter; that they have no objection to the friendly assistance of the United States in the matter, if it becomes necessary, but~ that they believe they can settle 1t between the government and the reyolu- tionists without the necessity of any in- tervention. At least they say they are making an attempt to accomplish this end unaided, and with fair prospects of success.
 This is the latest phase of a rapidly changing situation that developed late this evening when an extraordinary ga- zette was issued, containing a decree signed by President Palma on the recom- mendation of the secretary of public works, Montalvo. The decree follows:
 oaropaiUp onara fIope ora suepapdaJ and in consequence the government forces will act only on the defensive through the republic. The Secretary of the h. terior will issue all the necessary orders for the execution of this decree.'
 Causes Surprise.
 The decree caused great surprise as It was believed to signify a change of heart by the government officials who for the past two days have been strongly against taking up peace overtures with the eniis- saries of the revolutionists
 The Associated Press learns that to- days action had it's beginning by General Monocars renewed effort in inviting Sec retary Montalvo, and urging him to make the strongest possible endeavor to induce President Palma to comply with President Roosevelt's advice. and avoid the conse- ouences of intervention by requesting truce and endeavoring to have the Cubans themselves come to an agreement.
 Secretary Montalvo and General Alvos first visited Jose Muguel Gomez and oth- CTS of the alleged conspirators in prison and found them willing to cooperate in securing peace. The basis of peace was not discussed in any detail, but Secretary Montalvo returned to the palace and urged President Palma to consider the matter. The President called conference for this evening which was attended by the min isters, vice president and Mendez Capote, Gen. Freyer Andrade and Senator Dolz
 The result of this conference was the issuance of the decree suspending govern ment campaign operations.
 Hold Conference.
 After the decree was issued government emissaries were dispatched in automobiles to confer with the revoutionists. General Menocal, accompanied by Congressman Gobin and Garcia Vieta the youngest son of Calixto Garcia, drove in the direction where Alfredo Zayas was encamped with Casttllos forces not far from Santiago de las Vegas, and others went to Guana- jay, which place this evening was occu- pied by big band of revoiutionists under Congressman Campos Maruueti The lat ter had Mayor Gales and 200 volunteers defending the town cooped up in car eel, and surrounded by a swarm of in- surgents. The Mayor up to this evening had defied Marqueti and was still holding out when the peace emissaries arrived
 Meanwhile Marquet was threatening to blow up the carcel with dynamite.
 General Andrade, when asked about tho terms discussed at the conference with the revolutionists, said that the matter had not got far enough along to discuss ac- tua1 peace terms. The conferees had only touched them informally he declared. but one thing was certain-the government would never agree to annull constitiona1 elections, and that contention must be eliminated from the claims of the revoii- tonists
 He thought there was reason to believe the government and the hostile element would get together on terms, although this as yet was uncertain. Those who had been sent to confer with the revolutionists carried passes for themselves, and as many of the revoutionsts as they choose to bring into the city.
 The general said that the government appreciated the friendly efforts of the United States, and would avail itself of them if its own efforts were unsuccessful, but that naturally it preferred to settle the trouble without intervention.
 Prisoners Released.
 Simultaneously wtt .e issuance of the decree declaring a aation of hostilities, the special judge in charge of the cases against the alleged conspirators in prison and prisoners recently captured. liberated thirty of the latter against whom indct ments had been issued. Meanwhile a warrant was issued for Felipe Romero. A wealthy young Cuban who has been representing the revolutionists in various errands to Commander Colwell of the United States cruiser Denver, and who Is charged with being the recipient of com munications from the New York revou- tionary junta.
 But now that hostilities have been sus- pended 1t is probable that no arrest will be made. According to Commander Col well, Alfredo Zayas asked for immunity aboard the Denver, one which he had hoped to be able to go to the United States.
 Previous to this afternoons develop ments the situation had about resolved itself into condition where the liberals were declaring that If the United States