The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-17
TAFT MISSION OFF FOR CUBA.
TWO WARSHIPS ALSO START AND
MORE ARE PREPARING.
Cruiser Des DIN 20 Take Aboard N
Party At Tampa -P%resIdent's FIR"
Purpose 10 Bring Peace. but Hes Pre-
pared % Intervene IIuIl In Fighting.

WASHINGTON, Sept. IG-Secretsry OF War
TAFT and Assistant Secretary OF state bacon
left Washington at SiS O'Clock this after
noon for Tampa, whence they will sail
for Havana. In the party besides Score
taries Tam and Bacon were Capt. Frank H.
Mccoy, U. 8. A.. aide; F. l.. Cairnes' sur
veyor Of the Port Of Manila: J. M. MaciaS'
interpreter; William A. Newcome. private
secretary TO Secretary Bacon; John u.
Redwood, stenographer to Secretary tart;
Mr.. Schroenrick. interpreter for the state
Department, and two messengers.
The party will arrive at Tampa at 1925
tomorrow night and Immediately board a
light house tender and proceed to the quar-
autine station, where they will embark on
the cruiser Des Moines. which has been
ordered to Tampa from Havana Ihey
expect to arrive in Havana Wednesday
morning and will make their headquarters
at the American Legation.
Secretary Taft would not discuss to-day
his plans after arriving in Havana, and
declared that he had no special Instructions
from the President, other than those indi-
Gated in the Presidents letter to Minister
0uesada. His purpose il to assist in bring
ing about peace on the island, and whether
or not he will confer with the rebel leaders
| directly or through others Is a matter for
determination when he confronts the situa.
ton.
Brig Gen. Funston, who. az announced
late last night 10y Secretary Taft, has been
ordered from American Lake, Wash,
where he has been attending the army
encampment, will not reach Washington
until Wednesday. He will proceed directly
to Havana and join Secretary Taft to assist
him in dealing with the Cubans.
The decision to have Gen. Funston join
the reconciliation party was reached last
Friday at the Oyster Bay conference on
the subject OF Cuba. Gen. Funston not only
speaks Spanish iuently, hut he served in
the insurgent army, fighting against Spain
before the United States interviewed in
Cuba's struggle for independence. He
held a commission in the insurgent army
and saw much active service against the
Spaniards. For this reason he. Is highly
regarded by all Cubans, irrespective OF
factions, and il ia expected that his lh-
fiuence with them will he strong.
Secretary Taft to-day refused to discuss
the matter Of American Intervention in
NlDa, OF WHAT WOhld OliO " NHN w.
OF the failure Of his mission to establish
peace. The question Of intervention, how
ever. ia one which the President and his
advisers have carefully considered. That
the United States has the right to intervene
10 the extent OF landing troops upon the
order Of the President for the protection oil
American life and property without the
action Of Congress there Ia no doubt, but
whether the President can intervene with
troops to put down a rebellion without au-
thorization Of Congress is another question.
Congress- alone under the Constitution
can declare war, and Intervention to sup
press a rebellion, it il contended by some
would be virtually an act Of war. How
ever, it is pointed out that under treaty
obligations the United States IL bound 10
intervene for the purpose OF maintaining
a government adequate TO aford protection
to life, property and indi vidual liberty.
This il the view Of the matter which ia taken
by the President and his advisers, and IA
a parallel case II il pointed out that the
United States has frequently lande troops
on the Isthmus of Panama for the purpose
Of keeping open traffic across the lsthmllS'
aud that il did So under a treaty with Co
lombia. Furthermore. the fact IL recalled
that the United STATES, along with other
Powers, interviewed in China without an
thoriEation from Congress for the prOtec-
ton OF life and property.
In the case Of Cubs II is held that the
Platt Amendment furnishes the Executive
the means of performing his sworn duty
10 zee that the laws are executed and that
life and property are protected, and to
protect life and property he may use the
military foroe of the United States either IN
this country or in any other where they
are endangered. The only thing which
Congress would be called upon to do would
be 10 supply the sinews OF war, that IL
the appropriations made necessary by
the action Of the President.
Whatever question may arise over inter.
vention, the President Is determined 10 lane
q sufficient force to protect American liver
and property il they are endangered. Blu
the President and his advisers hope anC
expect that they will not be brought face Il
face with the question of actual interVen
{ ton. The Presidents purpose now il Il
bring about peace and not war. Mr. Tar
may be said to have plenAry powers to d'
+, az he deems best TO accomplish the pur
, pose for which he goes to Cuba. or courS
he will communicate with the Preslden
a upon everyS matter which comes befon
him, but the PRESIDENT so thoroughly TcIc
upon Secretary Taft and his judgment tina
whatever course he suggests is likely 4
: receive the approval OF the President.
u The State Dep artment received no i'm
r portant advices from Cuba to-day, and II
q the absence Of any news il il believed tina
the decision Of the President to send Secre
tary Taft TO Cuba has the effect OF stayin
o hostilities for the present.
g The cruiser Tacoma, with $40 marines
sailed to-day from Norfolk for Key Wes'
following the Cleveland. Both ships. Will
d destined for Havana in the event Of nee'
l. for their fighting forces, will go to Key Wes
to await orders. The Minneapolis and tn
" Newark will sail probably on Tuesda
4 with an additional force Of marines. tn
q former will go from the League Islan
Navy lard and the latter from Norfolk.
Lord CurzOO May Come Here This Fal
Special cable DSspdfch 10 THE SUN
LONDON, Sept. I7.-The Daily Ners says
= .-,LobIa that Lord CbrZOO former