Middletown transcript., 1906-10-27
WASHINGTON LETTER

W AHalN6iteN, ~. VI fSOCtOUeE HOtIis I5tt1.-
News Of the week centers In Cuba llli
It all has is echo in Washi .etnn
where the course Of things in the island is
viewed with the deepest inteie i. Firsl
of all Secretary Taft has returned lie
talked over his experiences in Cubs wisil
the President and his conclusions rather
indicate lis belief that permanent peace
las hten assured in the island The
Secretary OF War had very difficult task
in getting the $4,000 armed men dis
banded, but this mnch has been accom-
piislIed and the chances are that new
elections will be held with 81 little vio.
.pnce as would accompany them IN most
states of the Uuion. As 10 how long il
will be necessary to retain the Uaited
Stetes troops in C,lba, Secretary Taft
would sav very little. lie learned during
bis stay IN the island that il is very u,,-
safe to prospliecy about the course Of
Cuban events, therefore be was willing to
let the matter rest With the statement
that the American forces would be
returned to this country las soon as pos
sihle." II is certain, however, that at
least 2. 600 OF tile marines now on shore in
Cuba will be brought home at once.
Possibly 5000 will remain as garrison in
several OF the coast towns Rut it is to
be remembered that every day Of Ameri-
can occupation will cost the Cuban gov-
ernment large aypount of money. What
proportion OF the total expense win be
enacted froiu Cuba by the United States
none uf the Government officials are yet
willing TO estimate. 1t is quite possible,
however, that Cuba will be charged up
with all the cost OF sea transportation,
with the cost Of maintaining the troops
while they are in Cuba, aud pi,.sii,Is ai.o
their railroad fare from the interior of
this country to the points Of embarkation
on the coast. II Cuba gets off with less
than bill for Que million dollars disin-
terested observers think that she will BE-
exceedingly lucky. Ifshe Is made to pay
bill Of this size. ii may do good deal
toward keeping her from having another
revolution, as che will find that reyolu-
tions at:lhis price are expensive Injuries.
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Secretary Taft had something TO say in
his published interview as 10 the return
Of General Funston frun Caba, and he
was very careful TO explain that General
Funston had accomplished all he was
cent to Cuba to do, and that his return TO
this country was in no wise reflection
on his relations with any of the Cuban
authorities. This, OF course, is diplo.
matte way Of putting it, but the fact re-
maii that the brief stay made by Gen.
erai Funston in the island was entirely
tue to the personal preindice against him
1 soma ef The reyolutinnar. generals. Il
Iiu, that General Funston Was Of nre
uba lis know ledge 0f tie language
s..u LIS personal acquaintance With many
u the long standing fellds between tile
ead.Ts Was exceedingly valuable. Asa
reward for his services. he has been
given a good command Oh lis return to
tIe United States. Although onlya briga.
disr, he is to be placed in command OF q
whole division. lie will be assigned to the
conmsnd OF the Department OF the South
west With headquarters at 81, Louis. in
stead Of al Oklahoma City. The territor-
ial limits Of the'command have not bee u
changed but as place of residence st.
Lonis is good deal preferable to Okla
iloma. AT the same time General
Greeley will be switched from st. Lonis
to Chicago and given command Of the.
Department Of the Lakes.
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