The Washington times., 1906-09-14
GRAVE SITUATION
SHOWN BY CALL
TO OYSTER BAY
Heads of Three Impor-
tant Departments Now
With the President

Whatever action is TO be taken by the
United States in connection with the
Cuban situation will be dictated from
Oyster Bay Washington is tempOrar-
lily out or II so si.r as news concerning
Cuba goes
With Secretary Of War Taft recalled
from his summer racatiOn 10 join Sec
retary OF the Navy Bonaparte and As
sistant Secretary of State Bacon in con-
sultation with the President at oyster
Bay. all of the heads OF the principal
departments that might be required TO
take action in case the United states
decides that it is time to intervene to
maintain a government IN Cuba capable
OF protecting life and property are now
together. and IL looks as though the mo-
ment for a decision had arrived.
All information available here points
20 the fact that Palma's government IS
on its last legs Apparently II controls
nothing outside Of Havana city. pracu-
cally all the rest Of the island being in
insurrection This statement OF the sit
uation. II correct. makes il very grave
and fully warrants the action Of the
p President in calling his cabinet officers
together TO confer as TO the proper
course to be pursued
Commander ColweH. Of the Denver.
has cabled the Navy Department of his
action in landing armed sailors in Ha-
vana yesterday. His dispatch. which has
been forwarded 10 Oyster Bay. is as
follows;
Il have landed force, after consul
1ation with those best advised as to the
situation and especially On the request
of President Palma himself, who In
formed Nr. Sleeper and myself that he
sr8vely doubted the ability of the Cuban
government 10 protect American proper
" and persons Force enCamped IN
Plaza de Armas which is best stragiCal
point and commands two principal bus
mess streets of Havana. an in readi-
ness and in best position ID protect
American business and interests, Have
offered asylum on board the Denver for
AL Americans"
After the receipt of this dispatch last
night Commander COlWen was directed
20 withdraw the majority OF his force.
leaving ashore only enough men TO
guard the American legation. This was
done. according TO a dispatch received
this morning from Mr.. Sleeper. but the
Denver stiu lies in such a position as
TO command O'Reilly street.
Because Of the apparent dlsapprOval
Will AAAtNn the ~ LDll Abh
received the news Of the landing OF this
force there is some question as TO
whether either Charge Sleeper or Com
1nandcr Colwell did not exceed thc!
authority and whether one of them may
not be subjected 20 FepFimand At the
Navy Department, however, Il Is pointed
out that a naval commander has no re-
course when he is requested by AmeTi-
can diplomatic officers to land men 10
preserve order II is his duty 10 COM
ply with the request at once.
The statement In the morning papers
from Havana that the Marietta has AL
ready arrived at Cteufuegos and has
debarked a detachment there is evil
IDENTITY a mistake. The Navy Depart
ment received a 3ispatch from Guanta-
namo yesterday announcing that the
Marietta had been sighted off that place
on the 18TH instant As it is a run OF
fully $40 miles from Guantanamo 10
CienfuegOs. il is said at the department
that il would be manifestly impossible
for the ship 10 arrive at the latter place
befOr, this morning.