The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-28
TAFT ON CUBAN SITUATION.
PRACTICALLY AL INSURGENTS
HAVE DISBANDED.

Secretary Expects Normal Conditions Soon
90 he Restored n United states
Troops Withdrawn-L ack OF Munici-
pal Government One Serious Fault.
CLEVELAND, Oct. 27.-According TO Secre-
tary W. H. Taft, who talked this afternoon
relative to the plans Of the United States
Government with regard to Cuba's future,
Cuban Independence is to be perpetuated
and the Cuban Government restored just
As soon as the islanders settle down 70 \
sensible view OF the situation.
1T is not to be expected, he said, that
quiet will be restored Immediately in the
island where the instruction developed
in five Of the six provinces. but it will come
in good time. Then when the elections
have been held, and new officers Installed
both in the national and provincial govern
ments, the troops will be withdrawn.
united States troops are now scattered
in battalions all over the island. and their
presence has had the effect OF instantly
discouraging a continuation OF the in
surgent activity. Practically all OF the
insurgents have disbanded and returned
TO their homes. Gradually peace is being
restored.
There are still a few insurgent bands
roaming about those sections where the
hotbed Of insurrection developed. These
are mainly banditti, who Joined the in
surgents simply because they were already
in arms against the Government. The
work OF breaking up these bands has been
placed in the hands OF the native rural
guards.
These guards number sonnet hing near
5000 now. Whenthe outbreak came there
were 5000 of them, but they we're scattered
all about the island in detachments OF
from twenty-five TO fifty. In consequence
they were of little force in opposing the
advance OF the revolutionary spirit and
movement Now, however, they will be
sufficient TO wipe out the banditti.
ALREADY the conservative element is
accepting the situation as all for the best.
l do not apprehend that there will be any
continued opposition TO the working out
OF the plan OF the United States Govern
ment. The better informed Of the Cubans
unde rstand what is intended and desired
by this Government,
1T is scarcely to be expected that order
m serenity will be effectually restored in
a month or several months. The volatile
temperament of the people precludes this.
Yet every indication points to their speedily
coming to a realization that our interference
was all for the best and kindly intended.
-One of the sources of difficulty in the past
has been the utter absence OF municipal
governments. The constitution provided
for these, but the provision was conveniently
ignored.
Doubtless Gov. Magoon will take this
feature in hand and compel the establish
ment>of municipal governments as well as
the pe~rpetuation of the provincial govern
ments. The laXness Of the governmental
system permitted this revolutionary spirit
! to grow. unchecked. Preparation will be
made against its repetition.
Heretofore the old Spanish plan OF
municipal has been followed.
| There has been an Alcalde in every village.
and the Alcalde has been supreme. Under
the new plan every Cuban city will have a
government after the American form.
Then il will be possible to keep the people
upder closer rein.
THE national and provisional elections
will be held probably under the direction
of the United States. IL will be necessary
in order that the best interests Of the island
be safeguarded. As yet il is altogether too
| early to conjecture as to probable leaders
Before any elections are attempted the res
! toration OF order and peaceful conditions
will have been made complete.
There is no possibility of annexation.
The United States Government simply
interviewed 50 that conditions might not
arise that would endanger the continuance
of Cuban independence. just as soon as
there is assurance that the Cubans are
restored to that tranquility that insures
capable self-government the United States
will step aside and bid the Cubans god
Rneed"