Omaha daily bee., 1906-10-13
Americans Must Remain Until Fair and
Satisfactory Elections Are Assured
QUESTION PUT soUARELY UP TO CUBANs
they Can Hasten Withdrawal by Conduct
that Promotes Stable Conditions.
ULTlMATUM TO PEOPLE OF ISLE OF PINES
Island iS AT Integral Fart of the
Republic aud It's separation
rom Cuba Cannot BE
Considered.

HAVANA. oct. 12.-The United states,
through its peace commissioners, is not
ready "a announce when IL will withdraw
from the Island of Cuba and surrender
the reins of government to the Cub3ns. but
this action cannot be taken until the time
arrives when fair elections are assured.
This statement was made by Governor
Taft today as "a sort OF yaledictory address
10 the rcvolutonist committee which the
American commissioners dealt with in get
ting tho rebels to cease hostilities and ne
gotiate peace. The committee had con-
ference lasting hour with Governor
raft. Assistant Secretary of State Bacon
and Charles l.. Magoon. who is to succeed
Mr. raft as provisional governor, and at
It's conclusion expressed satisfaction with
the position taken by the provisional gov
ernment
Headed by Alfredo Zsyas. the committee
visited Governor Taft for the avowed pur-
pose OF requesting him 20 declare the policy
Of the United States toward Cuba and the
policy of the provisional governor concern
ing appointments to Office.
Taft Replies TO Committee.
The Americans listened carefully to all
of the committee and then Governor Taft
replied pointedly that he could not outline
the policy of the United States more
clearly than was done in his proclamation
establishing a provisional government for
the island. He added that as the represen-
tative of the United States he was just
anxious to surrender governmental affairs
to Cubans as the Cubans were to regain
them. but the peace commissioners were
under the responsibility to build up condi-
tions which would make the Cuban gov
ernment stable one.
Governor Taft would not predict when
such a satisfactory condition would be
reached. but he said the Cubans themselves
could hasten that time If they were dis
posed to do so. A fair and honest election
on the results of which the Cuban people
were willing to abide Governor Taft de-
clarcd, was not necessary before the
United States would feel justified in with
drawing from the island.
Senior Zayas, Carlos Garcia and jose Mig
ue Gomez hastened to assure Governor
Taft that II was not their personal am
bition to obtain public Office. They de-
clared. however. that the interests of their
party demanded that the government
should not be continued In the form against
which they had revoittd. Assurances were
given the committee by Mr.. Taft that Mr..
Magoon would consider complaints against
any Official investigate them and remove
persons found unfit to hold positions of
with good records would be retained. The
committee informed Governor Taft that It
intended to o. J once.
Thanks <erican Residents.
This even /committee representing
many Amf IN Cuba pre- sented Messrs.
Taft and with an address expressing
appreciate or the great services they had
done for ali residents of the island. The
address said:
The results you have accomplished are
greater than could reasonably have been
hoped for. Nearly thirty thousand armed
were arrayed against the government and
a conflict was imminent in which enormous
loss of life and property seemed tneVitabl
1t scarcely seemed possible that peace
discord and strife without bringing Into
active service the military power at your
command, but within less than month
your wise and sagacious methods and the
adroitness with which you have handled
your difficult task brought peace and quiet
Not the least satisfactory of the present
cons.dera tons IL the fact that in the set
tlem6nt OF the turbulent conditions you
have caused little Irritation or resentment
aud have secured from Cubans increased
respect and regard for the United States
and greater confidence and trust in the
good will and intentions of the American
people for the welfare OF Cuba.
We do not believe speedy or success
full an achievement under conditions diff
noult and dangerous has any parallel. The
the great people you represent are due you
for these lnestimable services.
Responding TO this address, Governor
Taft expressed his sincere thanks. He said
the testimony OF Americans and others who
were on the ground had been OF great as
sistance at the outset of the peace commits
soners work The commissioners early
felt the tremendous pressure of the respon-
sibility OF being the agents to bring about
rfyi,f or fha xa1
Disarmament is Completed.
The disarmament commissioners sent q
santa Clara province. Hernandez and
Monteagudo. have returned here, and re-
port TO Governor taft that they have dis
}, armed and dsbanded all the forces i'm that
province.
More than So0O men have been disbanded
and 1900 rifles surrendered TO the provis-
ional government ana have been brought
into Havana. Reports OF trouble in va
rious places are pouring Ia, but Governor
TAFT says investigation always shows them
not to he serious.
Two battalions from the Seventeenth and
two from the Eighteenth infantry and
Company Of the hospital corps arrived
here today on the transports Monterey aud
Niagara and proceeded to Camp Columbia
Two squadrons of the Fifteenth cavalry
left Camp Columbia today for santa clara
city
UltimRtunh to Isle OF Pines
Secretary Taft today received Pres.den.
stark OF the Isle of Pines association and
Informed him positively that the prOvis-
ional government could rot consider any
movement in the direction OF tae separa-
ton OF the isle from Cuban sovereignty
Mr. Taft added that the matter OF the in
ternal government OF the Isle OF Pines nad
been referred to Charles L. Msgoon who
svSSsss5ds Mr.. Taft as provisional governor
OfE,sba.
Ia formal statement Mr.. TAFT declared
that III is absolutely impossible for tn,
provisional government of cuba TO recoE.
niBe for a moment that the Isle of Pine,
is not completely under tho jurisdiction OF