The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-09-30
UNITED STATES RULES.
Taft Assumes Control as Provisional
Governor of the Island

Governor OF the Island.
HAVANA, Sept. 29.-With far less
ostentatiou than accompanies the ac-
cesslon OF new municipal admins
tration. the Government of Cuba was
formally taken over today by William
III. Taft, Secretary of War, OF the
United States, who, i'll a proclamation
clothed in O kindly and diplomatic
tone, indicative Of the policy he would
pursue, declared himself Provisional
Governor of the island. Promptly at
noon Governor Taft, Assistant Secre-
tary of State Bacon and Capt. McCork,
Governor Taft's aide-dc-camp, called
officially at the <alacc and paid their
respects TO the retiring President. Ig
noring President Palma's message to
Congress on Friday, IN which he
wrongly interpreted the mission of the
American ,mediators, Governor Taft
spoke kindly TO Senor Palma, to whom,
he said the people Of Cuba owed an
unquestio enable debt of gratitude. Presi.
dent Palma g brief reply was devoted
entirely to an expression of relief for
the opportunity of shifting the burden
of guiding the tempestuous republic to
the representative of Nation strong
Masses Are Indifferent.
The fact that the Government had
changed hands, from a position OF abSo-
lutte independence to the restraint Of q
temporary protector, etc, was received
by the masses with utter indifference
Most Of the refined and thoughtful
Cubans, while they feel certain SEN
sitiveness over the loss of the island S
sovereignty, are inclined to hope that
the United States protectorate viii be
brief.
4 Cuban returning TO Havana today
after brief absence would not have
recognized from the general attitude of
the people that the form of government
had been altered. Business continued
the same, except for the vigor ex
hibited by the wholesale merchants,
manufacturers and railroads to regain
their former trade throughout the
island, which has been at standstill
since the beginning of tho revolution six
weeks ago.
Although it was known Friday that
an American provisional government
could not be avoided, and despite the
fact that it became q reality today,
the last twenty-four hours have been
the most quiet since the arrival of
President Roosevelt S mediatorg ten
days ago.
Governor Taft, with true apprecia.
tion Of the sensitiveness of the Cuban
people, was careful IN taking up his
new duties and abstaiued from any act
tnat ulgnJ nave Dssn construed pN
them as humiliating. His decision not
to lower the fag of the Republic was
taken on his own responsibility. as
Friday night he was unable TO get into
communication with President Roose-
welt because of defect in the wireless
| apparatus on the vessel on which the
President was proceeding to Province
town, Mass He felt certain, however,
| that President Roosevelt's friendship
- - L. g. n,ya
this act of courtesy TO the broken Re-
public.
Gov: Taft s proclamation was as fol
| lows:
To the people of Cuba: The failure
! of Congress to act on the irrevocable
resignation of the President of the Re
public of Cuba or to elect successor
! leaves the country without a Govern
ment at time when great disorder pre-
walls and requires that, pursuant TO the
| request Of Mr.. Palma, the necessary
| steps be taken in the name and by the
authority of the President of the United
| States TO restore order and protect nfe
and property IN the island OF Cuba and
| the islands and keys adjacent thereto
! and for this purpose to establish there
! in provisional Government. The pro
! visional Government hereby estab-
| lished will be maintained only long
enough to restore order, peace and pub
! lie confidence by direction and IN the
name Of the President of the United
! States and then to hold such elections
as may be necessary to determine on
those persons upon whom the permanent
government Of the republic should be
devolved.
In so far as is consistent with the ma.
ture of a provisional Government estao.
lished under the authority Of the United
State this will be Cuban Government
| conforming with the Constitution OF
! Cuba. The Cuban flag will be hoisted
as usual over the Government buildings
OF the island; all the executive depart.
ments and provincial and municipal
governments, including that of the city
/ Of Havana, will continue to be admin
istered as under the Cuban republic
the courts will continue TO administer
Justice, and all the laws not in theiI
nature inapplicable by reason of the
temporary and emergency character OF
the Government will be in force,
President Roosevelt has been most
anxious to bring about peace under the
constitutional Government OF Cuba and
he made every endeavor to avoid the
present step. Longer delay, however
would be dangerous in view OF the res
ignation of the Cabinet.
Under further notice the heads Of al
the departments OF the cehIIdl EoVe! u
ment Will report TO me Tor instructions
including Gen. Alexandra Rodriguez, IL
command Of the rural guards and Other
regular Government forces, and Gen
Charles Roloff, treasurer of Cuba.
Until further notice the civil Gov
ernors and alcaldes will also report tc
me for instructions.
I ask all citizens and residents OF
Cuba TO assist me in the work of restor
ing order, tranquility and public conn
dence. WILLIAM Fl. TAFT,
Secretary of War Of the U. s., Provi
sional Governor Of Cuba.
Havana Sent % 1906