Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-09-15
ONLY THOSE REMAIN WHO CAN
STAY UNDER COVER OF AMER
IcAN LEGATION
ON GROUND ALL NIGHT
Sailors Who Were camped at Havana
Return to Cruiser Denver-Were on
Island Under Advice of Charge
Sleeper For Protection.
BULLETIN.

Havana, Sept. 14.-Congress met in
special session at 2 o'clock this after.
noon. The presidents message has
not yet been given out. 1t is rumored
at the palace that he will resign to
congress, but this has not yet been
verified.
Washington, D. c., Sept 14.-Charge
Sleeper at Havana reports that 300 in
surgents attacked the rural guards the
morning of Sept. 12 at Seasa, Santa
Clara province. The government lost
l8 men and the loss Of the insurgents
is not known. The government
forces retreated.
Goes to Legation.
Havana, Sept l4.-Thc armed sol
diers who landed last night from the
cruiser Denver are still in camp this
morning. Commander Colwell came
ashore this morning and went to the
American legation. Commander Miller
was in command Of the party on shore.
Request Withdrawal.
Sleeper, charge d'affaires, received
q cablegram from Washington direct
Ing him to request the withdrawal cf
the Denvers sailors. This he did in a
note to Commander Colwell. Colwell
conferred with Palma.
Colwell declared that as the city is
quiet he believed he could land his
men In ten minutes If necessary, and
it is better to return the sailors to the
Denver The men pulled up the tent
stakes and started.
Offers to Surrender.
Alfredo Zayas, president OF the lib
era1 party, who with insurgents and
General Loynaz del Castillo, comman-
der of the insurgent forces in Havana
province, sent two more emissaries TO
Commander Colwell this morning Of
fering to come in and surrender on
board the Denver this afternoon. Col.
well replied that he is unable to inter
fere, that President Palma is communi.
eating with Washington in the matter
Emissaries sent to Havana by AL.
8fredo Zayas, informed the Associated
Press that Zayas had telegraphed the
tnsurgent commander that every prov
ince should cease fighting because Of
the negotiations pending for surren-
der to the American naval commander.
Hundred ana FIfty Land.
One hundred armed sailors from the
United States protected cruiser Den
yer landed at $50 last evening and
camped In front of the presidents pal
ace in anticipation of possible upris-
ings within or attacks upon Havana.
The sailors were landed at President
Palma's request.
After later consultation the sailors
were sent back on board the Denver,
only small guard for the American
legation being left on shore.
After reading dispatch from Wash
ington In which Secretary of the Navy
Bonaparte was quoted as saying that
there would be no landing of United
States forces in Cuba except in the
event of extreme and unrestrained
rioting, Commander Colwell said last
night:
81 landed force after a consulta-
tion with those best advised as to the
situation, and especially on the request
of President Palma himself, who in
formed Mr.. Sleeper and myself that
he gravely doubted the ability of the
Cuban government to protect Ameri-
can property and persons. President
Palma did not suggest this location fo-
our forces; selected 1T because in my
judgment it is the principal business
streets Of Havana.
or the protection of the palace of the
president but simply being in readi-
ness and in the best position to protect
American business and other inter.
ests.
Il telegraphed these facts IS secre.
tary Bonaparte and also the fact that I
have offered asylum on the Denve-
for any Americans who may desire to
seek such safety"
Guarded PaIma's Palace.
The American sailors during their
stay on shore were camped in front Of
old La Fuerza castle, facing the Plaza
de Armas, the little park in front of
the presidential palace, which is the
seat of the Cuban government.
The American flag was planted Just
inside of the low stone coping separat-
ing the castle grounds from O'Reilly
street, which thoroughfare passes be.
tween the camp and the Plaza de Ar.
mas.
Rapid Fire Guns Planted.
The sailors were armed with reg.
ulation rifles, with the exception of a
few who carried revolvers or carbines.
Two field howitzers and two rapid fire
guns were sent ashore with the sailors.
They were across the pretty little
park, a significant warning to any one
approaching the executive headquar-
ters of the Cuban government with
hostile intent.