Evening journal., 1906-09-14
HAVANA FEARS
ATTACK TO-DAY
U. S. Cruiser Denver Ready
to Protect Our
CitiZ2ns
Ry our own VIC. pubIIshers, Press.

By our own Wire. Publishers Press.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 14-Not since
the Spanish war has there been so
much excitement in official and news
paper circles in the National Capital,
as there was last night when the re-
port came that United States blue
jackets had been landed in Havana.
The State, War and Navy building
was Immediately besieged by a small
army of correspondents. and tele-
phones to the homes Of any and all
officials of the administration who
might be able to throw light on the
situation were kept busy.
Assistant Secretary Bacon, of the
State Department. received his first
informtion that Commander Colwell
OF the Denver, had sent his sailors
ashore, from press dispatches. The
news was soon confirmed in a brief
report 10 the Navy Department. MI
Bacon hurried to the White House
and Immediately got into communica-
tion with President Roosevelt at
Oyster Bay by long distance tele-
phone.
The conversation had two results
The first. an order to Commander Col
well to withdraw all sailors back to
the ship, except for a guard sufficient
to protect the American legation; sec
ond. a summons to Mr.. Bacon to pro-
ceed at once to Oyster Bay for con-
sultation with the President and the
Secretary of the Navy. who had left
on an earlier train. Mr.. Bacon hustled
to his home, threw a change or linen
in a suit case, and reached the Penn
sylvania station just in time to catch
the midnight train for New York.
Marines Not For Palma.
That Colwen had landed a force Of
$50 men and had stationed them in
the vicinity of President Palma's
palace. was quite a shock 70 the ad-
ministration. Until a full report shall
have been received from him, judg-
ment will be suspended as to whether
he exceeded his instructions. These in
structions were largely of negative
character. He was sent TO Havana
primarily to protect American lives
and property; secondarily. to protect
President Palma. II the latter should
request to be taken aboard the cruiser.
He was told to avoik any possible ac-
tion that could be construed into inter-
vention in the internal troubles OF
Cuba.
He was told not to land marines
unless he should be satisfied that such
action was imperative for the protec-
ton of American interests. Apparent
up, Colwell thought he was justified
in landing a large force. He had talk
ed personally with President Palma,
and had been assured. according to
the press dispatches. that the land
ing Of a substantial force from the
warship was essential. From the fact
that the administration here prompt
ly ordered nearly all the men back
to the Denver it is assumed that
President Roosevelt believed that
Palma had in mind his own personal
safety more than the safety OF Ameri-
can interests.
The celerity with which the Presi-
dent countermanded Colwelrs action
is in line with the announced policy
to refrain as long as possible from
anything that could be construed as a
desire on the part OF the United States
to interfere with the conduct of gov
ernmental affairs in Cuba.
At the Navy Department it is stated
that American interests for the pres
ent can be properly protected by
means of the legation guard which
was left ashore. Should sudden
emergency arise. requiring an addi-
tional force, it could be landed in a
very few minutes. Before sending his
sailors back to the ship, Commander
Colwell moved the Denver from her
anchorage in the lower part Of the bay
up to a spot Immediately in front of
the captain of the ports office, which
| is only a half dozen blocks from the
palace.
The whole situation is being thor
ioughly canvassed to-day by President