Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-24
IN CUBA
BESET BY MANY
PLEAS OF REBELS
Palma Charged With Violence
and Murder in 1905.
MAY REMAIN IN OFFICE
MAY REMAIN IN OFFICE
Commissioners Face Difficulty if tho
Government is Upset.
FUNSTON IS NOT WELCOMED
His Coming Not Regarded Kindly by
the Government-Said Not to
Be Very Friendly.

President Palma will permit the
rebel prisoners to leave Jail tenn
porarily this evening to discuss the
situation with Secretary Taft and
the American commission. The
prisoners will return to their cells,
however, as Palma wishes to keep
them as hostages in the event that
his own life is endangered. Gen.
Funston's coming is not looked
upon with favor, according to a
special dispatch. as he is not re-
garded as being favorable to the
Palma government. The moder-
ates say they will stand or fall to-
gethcr.
Special Cablegram 10 The Star.
HAVANA. September 24-The American
commissioners are to receive today rep
resentatives of the rebel army and also
Senator Zayas and the liberal political
prisoners. The latter will be allowed to
commissioners. and after the conference
will return to prison, as they did on Sat-
urday President Palma refused to re-
lease them absolutely. The reason OF
this. the liberals say, is that he wishes
to keep them hostages, in case his own
life should be in danger
1t Is understood mat the liberals ara
prepared to agree to partial annulment
of the elections. Palma and Capote remain
ing in office.
General Pine Guerra, who up to yester-
day was the most uncompromislng of the
rebel leaders, now consents that Palma
shall remain in office, provided there shall
be new election for members of the con-
gress. This change of attitude is the re-
suit of a long interview between him and
Senator Zayas, who went to his camp from
Havana In an automobile last night.
President Palma's view of the situation is
that he is not one of the cortendng par
ties, the war being between the liberals and
moderates. He represents the constituted
government only. AS such representative
he is compelled to raise army to fight
rebels. But now that peace is the matter
between the political organizations and con-
gress, he has nothing to do, nothing to
grant, nothing to negotiate.
Stand or Fall.
The American commissioners yesterday
sent a written request to Senator Zayas,
as president of the liberal party, and 10
Secretary Montalvo, as head of the cabinet.
that all military movements might be stop
ped at once. Col. Avalos. with govern
ment force, was already near Guanjay.
Pine Guerra has said he would not allow
him to come nearer to Havana than that
point Gen. Delgado was also close to Pun
Va Bravo, provoking an attack from the
rebel leader Baldomero. Gen. Acosta and
Col. Avelos were ordered this morning to
to Marel, and Delgado will retire
to ten miles from Punta Bravo.
Among the moderates the plan for a gem
eral retirement from office, with the excep-
lions of Palma and Capote, is not well re-
cefved. The moderates say in private con-
versation:
I'VE will stand or fall together"
The difficulty that faces the American
in case the constituted gov
eminent he upset is how to replace 1t.
The liberals viii say to the commissioners
oday that fraud is not the only reason
Why they demand the annulment of the
elections. Frauds of that kind have been
happening more or less always and every
where, but, in 1903, violence and murder
irmy and the police at the service of his
,arty.
Gen. Funston's Attitude
The news that General Funston had sailed
rom Tampa for Havana made Vice Presi-
lent Capotes clique uneasy. They say that
Funston surrendered to the Spanards dur
ng the war, and that he is not friendly
oward the present Cuban government.
Gen. Enrique Collazo says Funston land
d in Cuba March 10, 1896, with Colonel
'enas' expedition from New York, and did
good work at Coscorro, a chief of artillery
lnder Maxine Gomez. Also at Jiguani and
'unas, in April and August. 1897, under
caliXto Garcia, always deciding the victory
n favor of the Cubans.
He wished temporary leave in 1897 and
With the permission of Caiixto Gomez,
lsked it from the Cuban government.
caporte, who was the vice president. twice
'efused him, in spite of FUnstons personal
'emonstrances and the need he was under
% go home and attend to private affairs.
Then Funston, with the approval o. Calixto
Gomez. presented himself under flag of
ruce. at Spanish fort, between Puerto
Principe and NueviraS, and the American
consul a. the latter place procured his en-
)arkation for the United States. No man,
Zen. CollaZo added. was better loved by
he Cubans than Funston, for his great
services which Cuba had not yet rewarded.
Marianao is so far from the City of Ha-
ANA that the American commissioners will
10 their work at the American legation In
Havana. The change is due to the fearful
Weather that has prevailed since yesterday.
tropical rain pouring down
The meeting between the liberal leaders
md the commissioners will be held this
Lfternoon 1t had been intended to hold 1t
his morning, but the arrival of the COM
nissioners from Marianao is delayed by the
condition OF the roads. which are bad for
travel.