The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-18

not possible. and we have to name our o wn
provisional government. then emphasize the
fact that our action is only temporary and
that we are landing troops to secure p~aci1ca-
ton and set the Cuban Government going
again.
In a letter. to the President, dated Sep
TENDER %, Secretary Taft explains the situa-
ton as hopeless. He said:
1t looks to-day "a II Intervention would
come tonight or tomorrow morning. |
know how much you deplore this. but there
IL really no way out of IL. The truth Is that
the two side e. want it now. the Liberals be-
cause they can earn their victory in the hold
ing of new elections and the Moderates be-
cause If the elections have to be held they
want them held under the auspices OF the
United states and because the Moderates are
in favor of annexation generally. But neither
party Ia willing TO take the responsibility Of
saying so out loud,
Then came the actual necessity OF inter-
v~ention. The Liberals agreed that if a
provisional government were established
by the United States the insurgents would
lay down their arms and abide by the new
form of government.
In a despatch to the resident, which
was sent by mail on September %, Secretary
Taft reviewed the entire situation, showing
the impossibility of the situation. He
says that President Palma, after agreeing
troubles, withdrew from his position when
the cruiser Denver was sent to Havana
in response to his appeal to the Govern
ment in Washington. A tentative plan
for mediation was prepared and presented
to President Palma and his aid asked.
The Cuban Executive, however, declined
to adhere to the plan and announced his
intention to resign. Up to this time Presi-
dent Roosevelt ignored Palma's original
suggestion for the establishment Of the
provisional government.
On the same day Secretary Taft tele-
graphed a form Of proclamation for the
establishment of the provisional govern
ment. Later Mr.. Taft received in Havana
the order OF the President directing him to
land forces and issue the proclamation.
When it became clear that the Cuban
Congress would not elect a successor to
Palma at its meeting on the evening Of
the 18th. President Palma, through Score
tary Taft, telegraphed the President at
Oyster Bay that it was absolutely essential
to his peace OF mine that he deliver the
national funds, amounting to $l3, 625 $50, TO
a responsible person; He also pointed out
the necessity OF disbanding the militia,
which was being maintained at an enormous
daily cost. Secretary Taft surrounded the
Treasury with marines for the protection
OF the funds.
In conclusion the report says:
On the whole and to sum up the purpose
Of our going and what was done we repeat
bld Nb WNhS w JUN " ~ "a pOnV VI
securing peace: that when we went we knew
the island was divided between two hostile
and armed forces and we desired to avoid
a conflict between them for the reason that
IL would cause loss of life to the Cubans and
a great destruction of property, a large part
of which belonged to American citizens.
and It would necessarily require the inter-
vention Of American troops and the expendi-
ture Of American lives and treasure. II the
insurrectionary habit persists. If again the
Cubans divide into armed forces, the strong
hand OF our Government will have to be i'm
posed at whatever cost to life and property.
and permanent peace should then certainly
ensue because II should be OF our own keeping.
We hope. however. that no such drastic
remedy will be needed and that the lesson
taught In this recent experience Of the evil
OF unjust methods in elections will not be
without It's warning to future governments
in Cuba. With the passage OF proper laws
for municipal governments, for elections
and for the independence Of the judiciary
and with the holding of a fair election under
the auspices Of the United States for the
vacancies effected in accordance with the
compromise recommended we are very
hopeful that the Cuban republic may be
restored on even a more permanent basis
than that which she enjoyed during four
years of prosperity under President Palma.