The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-14
Island Affairs Chief Topic of
Official Washington.
State Department Is Directing
Governments Policy.
STRICT NEUTRALITY.
Marines We're Withdrawn to
Avoid the Appearance
OF a Movement to Protect
President Palma.

Washington. Sept. 14-Cusa is the
sole topic of conversation in that part
of official Washington which is dealing
with the disturbed situation in the is
land republic The state department
upon instructions from Oyster Bay Is
directing the policy of the government
in the present crisis, the navy depart
ment is furnishing the force to carry
out the policy and the war department
is ready for any part it may be asked
to take if Intervention is decided upon.
The policy of the government is shown
in the order to withdraw from Havana
all force save such as may be accom-
modated in the American legation and
which remains as legation guard. To
have allowed a force Of more than one
hundred blue jackets to camp around
the palace of the president of Cuba, it
was believed could not be construed
otherwise than taking sides in favor of
the Palma government. as such force
would protect him in his present posi-
tion. Strict neutrality between the
warning factions. but with every posi-
bic precaution to protect American life
and property is the policy Of the Uni
ted States. The navy acting under or
ders also from the president is ready
anu preparing TO IuInlS0 8uCn force as
may be necessary to carry out the poll
ICY
NO Blame for ColweII.
The landing Of 120 sailors by Com
mander Colweu and the subsequent
withdrawal of nearly the entire force
on orders from Washington, has caused
considerable comment but it is assert
ed that no reflection on the officer is in
vOlved in the action taken here Late
last night long cablegrain IN cipher
was received from Commissioner Col
well. While not made public it is be-
leVed the dispatch shows clearly that
the naval officer was acting entirely
within his Instructions in landing his
sailors and If there is any disposition
to question the propriety Of that ac-
ton the responsibility must rest upon
Mr.. Sleeper. the American charge for
the Denver force were placed entirely
at his command Il Is also believed
that the dispatch colEt aims the PROPOSE
tion referred to IN tie news from Ha-
vana from President Zayas Of the Lib
eral party and General Castillo to sur
render to Commander Colwell, with all
their forces, provided thew are assured
of a fair trial This however, being an
essentially diplomatic matter would
naturally be decided by the president
at the conference at Oyster Bay to-
dag.
More NarsIlips to Go.
The big triple screw cruiser Mime
apolis, now at the League Island navy
yard, has not yet been ordered to sail
for Cuba but merely. to prepare in all
haste for such orders. At the Norfolk
navy yard the cruiser Newark is un-
der orders similar to those given to the
Minneapolis and is hastily preparing for
sea, although it was intended to reduce
her to the rank of a mere station ship
Both the Minneapolis and the Newark
those so far ordered to Cuba. The Ia
coma is expected to sail today from
Norfolk for the island and the Cleve-
land. another cruiser will follow to-
morrow.
Mr.. Atkins of Boston. one of the
owners of the Constancia estate near
Cienfuegos, recently was in Washing
ton, in conference with Acting Secre-
starry Bacon at which time he said he
feared that the plantation was in dan
ger of destruction by the insurgents.
He urged the necessity Of prompt ac-
ton to prevent raids on a large num-
Der of properties near Cienfuegos. 1t
was largely through the representations
of Mr.. Atkins, who had daily advices
from Cienfuegos that this government
determined to send a vessel to the
southern coast of Cuba
Cabinet Meeting at Oyster Bay.
Oyster Bay. N. Y. Sept. Alt was
stated at the executive Office here to-
day that Secretary Taft would reach
Oyster Bay on the 1920 train. Secre-
tary Bonaparte arrived on the 1911
TRAIN ana ACClHS secretary OF state
Bacon came in his automobile. The
president intends to thoroughly go over
the Cuban situation with the heads Of
the state, war and navy departments
and the gathering today assumed more
the nature of a regular Friday cabinet
meeting than has taken place since the
presidents sojourn in Oyster Bay this
summer.
It was announced at the executive Of
fee this morning that the landing of
tended only as a guard to the Ameri-
can legation in that city and not a
step towards restoring peace in the is
land republic or as guard to Presi-
dent Palma's palace. While it is main
tanned that the course Of the Ameri-
can administration in Cuba is to be
most conservative. this it is said does
not preclude a preparedness of the
United States to take any action which
may become imperative by reason Of
conditions on the island.