Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1906-09-28

the POstOffiC at NatertOWn, Wis under the act
o. CONGRESS iarch 3. 1873
There is nothing to be said as to the
Cuban 81 Iation, except that the
agents of he President have arrived
in Havana and have reported to
Washington that they are there.
Supporters of the administration and
their opposite construe the situation
as best suits them. The only thing
that appears certain, both from the
press reports and the meager advices
received at the State Department,
is that fighting throughout Cuba has
ceased and both sides Of the contro-
versy are anxious to make the best
impression on the American re9re-
sentatives. President Palma is will
ing to do anything that he can to pre-
vent thorough investigation Of his
administration, and the insurgents,
while they may be suspected OF pro
annexation sentiments, do not wish
to do anything that would put bad light
with the American commissioners.
The chances are that decision of
some sort will be reached by Secre-
taries TAFT and Bacon before Secretary
Root can arrive at Havana, and it
is not believed that this will necessi-
tate the active interference of the
United States in the premises.
The United States, it may be said,
is prepared to intervene if absolutely
necessary. Secretary Taft was asked
before he started if the United States
was prepared to rush troops into Cuba
He replied with smile that the
United States was always prepared to
rush troops anywhere. This did not
answer the question of whether or not
armed Intervention was meditated,
but it did about outline the position
of this country in regard to the Cuban
disturbance. The administration does
not want to intervene and will not if
it can be helped but the spring is
coiled and it will be only necessary
to touch the trigger and let it go.
1t is reported at the War Depart
ment that orders have BEEN issued to
Brigadier Genreal Thomas Barry and
General w. r. Duvall. Both of these
officers are now attending the German
maneuvers, and would very likely be
selected for active Cuban service if
such became necessary. 1t is said
further that General Frederick Funs-
ton, who won renoWn in the Phillip
pines through his capture of AguI
naldo. has been selected for supreme
command if an army of invasion is
really formed. General Funston, it
will be recalled, was appointed to the
army from civil life, and besides his
exploits in the Philippines, was close
ly associated with General A W.
Greedy in command of the Government
troops during the San Francisco
earthquake and fire. There he won
decided concentrations for his cool
headed capacity in doing the right
thing at the right time, and he is
about the sort of a man that the
President would be likely to choose
for Cuban service. General Funston
is thoroughly familiar with Cuba and
is we'll known in the island, owing to
the fact that he held a commission in
the Cuban army during the last war
with Spain and before the United
otdISS 1OICSS were SSHI " SdIIldSO.
Moreover he speaks Cuban Spanish,
a most important accomplishment.
1t is said that both sides, the in
surgents and Palma Government, have
become a good deal more naughty
since the arrival of Secretaries Taft
and Bacon and in some quarters this
is said to indicate that peace prospects
are further off than ever 1t is not
believed, however. that this is really
the case, and it is much more likely
that both sides are making a final
bluff before one or the other lays down
its hand.
Upon the decision of the Depart