Milford chronicle., 1906-09-21
CUBANS SLOW
TO MAKE PEACE
It is Believed Secretary Taft Will
End Troubles in Cuba
q. s. wARsHIPs AT HAVANA

Havana, Sept. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
some appearance of activity, no de-
eisive progress was made in the peace
negotiations. A few peace seekers went
westward in automobiles, with the idea
Of reaching and confeTring with Pine
Guerra, the insurgent leader, in PinaT
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 to enter on nego-
tiations until all the conspiracy pris-
oners shall have been released.
While it is possible that the leaders
may reach a basis OF agreement In
time to present it TO Secretary of Wal
Taft and Assistant Secretary Of State
Bacon when they land here, there is
nothing to show that such basis has
been reached as yet. and there is every
evidence that il it is reached It will not
be accepted by the insurgent follow
ing.
Considerable earnestness has been
shown by some of the leaders looking
towards a settlement upon acceptable
terms, but others, and notably SO
among the Moderates. appear to be sat
isfied to let the case rest as it is until
= It can be adjudicated by President
Roosevelts representatives. The Lib
erals are more anxious to place them
selves in a position which may be con-
o strong Is
that of the government, and conse-
auently they are more persistentiy
active.
While no acceptable basis of peace
appears to have been suggested by
either side. the impression is genera
that Secretary Taft will take up the
work of peacemaking with small con-
sideration for past grievances, the main
idea being rather constructive meas
ures for the future.
Stories of the latest encounters show
that the government forces are moi
equal in numbers to the insurgents
The latter consequently had the ad-
vantage in the last fight. which took
place at Los Palacios between a gov
ernment force under Colonel Avalos
and insurgents under Pine Guerra. The
fight was stopped by the timely appear
ance of Guerras brother and others on
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 1S killed and 30 wounded.
The insurgents in Havana province
are resting quietly and awaiting devel-
opments. Whether those in Santa
Clara province are doing likewise is
not positively known on account of the
interruption of telegraphic communi-
cation.
is(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 it 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 $50 marines on board and ready at
a moments notice to land field pieces
and rapid-ive guns, came later, and
was ordered to proceed to Cienfuegos.
It is believed that the small force OF
the gunboat Marietta is not considered
a suffcient guard. owing to the condi-
tions in the besieged city.
Felipe Romero, who was instrument
tai in reviving the peace negotiations.
said that the insurgents outside of Ha-
vana were ready to resort to arms at
a moments notice if evidence devel-
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 illegalities
and injustices must be rectified.