The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-14
SAILORS ARE SENT
BACK TO CRUISER
Landed Only to Protect Ameri-
can Interests
REPORT NOT PUBLISHED
Navy Department Is Preparing to Send
other Vessels to Cuban Waters
to Be Held In Readi-
ness.

Washington September BIT was Off
cially announced here late tonight that
the sailors who were landed at Havana
from the American cruiser Denver have
been ordered to Immediately return to
their vessel save for small guard which
will be left at the American legation
This action followed the receipt of an
official report by Acting Secretary of
State Bacon from Mr.. Sleeper, the Amer
lean charge at Havana. regarding the
landing of the men.
The report was not made public, but it
was announced officially shortly after
wards that the sailors We're landed from
the Denver solely and simply for the pro-
lection of the lives and property of Amer
lean citizens; that such action was in
pursuance of a discussion between Mr.
Sleeper. the charge, and the naval COM
mander with the belief that 1t was a wise
precantion looking to the protection of
lives and property of Americans.
There was no intention, 1t is stated
to do otherwise than to safeguard Amer
lean interests and the services of the
sailors were to be utilized only in case
of disorders within the city which threat
ened such interests.
That the landing In any way contem-
plated the protection of either the Gu
ban government or the insurrectionary
government. or President Palma or any
other persons than American citizens,
was disclaimed officially and it was point
ed out that this fact could not be en-
phaslzed too strongly.
Purpose of Landing.
Mr. Sleeper's cablegram reported the
| landing of the sailors and explained the
purpose of the landing as explained above
that there was no purpose of protection
of anybody or anything EXCEPT Amer
| lean lives and property. The announce
ment that the sailors had been ordered
back to the ship except for the small
legation attachment, followed from the
White House very soon after the re-
eeipt of Mr.. Sleepers official report.
Ihat the landing was a complete sur
prise to the government here. was evil
dent. That it was not made under in
structions from Washington was also
made plain, but the reasons that actuated
Commander Colwell We're set forth in his
dispatch. 1t was distinctly stated TO-DAY
that the quiet preparation of the vessels
AophiHS " possible ulSpatch to Cuba does
not contemplate intervention; that there
would be no landing parties except in the
event of rioting when international law
demands restraining action by any neu-
tral ship present in port, but it is realized
by this government that by some unexpted
act of the contending forces the American
government must be obliged to carry OUT
the provisions of the Plat amendment.
Acting Secretary Bacon was at the
White House for some time tonight and
left on the midnight train for oyster
| Bay.
The landing of 120 of the bluejackets of
| the American protected cruiser Denver
on Cuban soil, and their camping in front
| OF President Palma's palace in Havana
| tonight in anticipation of possible attack
| or uprising, caused the most profound in
| terest in official circles here. 1t was
stated on official authority tonight that
| the instructions to the American officials
were such that armed force would not
| have been sent ashore upon the Initiative
| of the American commander but only
upon the request coming through Mr.,
| Sleeper, the American charge at Havana,
| who perhaps is better acquainted with the
| internal situation in the island republic
| than any naval officer. 1t has been the
| expressed hope of the Washington officials
| that no such eyentuality as that which
has necessitated the landing of the troops
| would arise.
When word of the landing of the sailors