Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-09-20
PALMA ON THE RACK
Taft and Bacon Trying to
 Solve Cuban Problem.
REBEL POST CLOSE TO MORGAN HONE
President of Island Republic Ditterly Opposed to New Election-wiM Re- sign If Pressed-Armed Insur-
 gents eel1e Dynamite.

Ss~-e-osSs
 HAVANA, Sept. 2o.-1n the course Of a long conversation of the American secretaries with President Palma at the palace here Messrs. Taft and Ba- con subscribed to the sentiments set forth in President Roosevelt's letter and expressed the hope that their visit would contribute to the establishment eof peace.
 ' In reply to their questions President Palma reviewed the various aspects of the electoral problem in Cuba. Asked whether the government had taken steps to affect compromise, the presi- dent replied in the negative, saying that the government had limited itself to assisting the efforts of the veterans without taking an active part in the negotiations.
 Secretary Taft then asked if any rev. olutionary demands had been directly affected by these negotiations. Presi- dent Palma said in reply that the pro- gramme of the revolutionists included the absolute annnlment of the last elections and that if by compromise 1t should be agreed to hold partially new elections he, Palma, would no longer continue as executive because his pres tige would suffer, and to do so would be drawback to constitutional form of government.
 The presidents of both the Moderate and the Liberal parties have submit ted to the envoys representing Presi- dent Roosevelt their respective state ments of the facts leading up to the revolution and the conduct of the bel ligerents. Each of the presidents later will present a written statement of the terms they are willing to agree to in the interest of peace. General Menocal, representing the veterans, also related to Messrs. Taft and Bacon the efforts he has made in the line of peace mak- ing.
 Secretary Taft stated later that he had just begun his work in Cuba and that 1t was evident that the mission upon which he came would require more time than he had anticipated be- fore his arrival. He estimated that ten days would be required to complete his errand, but he could not say wheth- CT or not 1t would be necessary to visit insurgent camps or other cities. He was pleased with the fact that repre- sentatlyes of every faction had visited the agents of President Roosevelt, which he considered augured well for the success of the mission.
 The envoys are at the beautiful home of Minister Morgan, Quinta Hidalgo. in the village of Mcrlanao, which, 1t so happens, Is only three miles from the most advanced post of the insur. gents forces. that of Colonel Baldo- nero Acosta. which is encamped in the vicinity of Arroya Arenas.
 The first overt act by revolutionists in eastern Cuba was committed when fifty armed and mounted men un- der Captain vinceute Costa and Lieu tenant Francisco Salmon entered the town of Firmeza, twenty miles east of Santiago, where the Juragua iron mines are located. They presented to Superintendent of Mines Whitaker a document bearing the alleged sigma ture of General Hierezuelo demanding the delivery of two cases of dynamite and two blasting batteries. The super intendent refused to deliver the goods. The insurgents thereupon forci6ly seized the explosive and the batteries, one mule and other supplies. giving their receipt therefore. They prom ised not to molest further if the com pany's railroad was not used to trans port government troops. The mines are now without protection from the rural guards.