The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-12

Washington, Sept 12.--The critical sit
uation I'm Cuba is occupying the atten-
tion OF the administration TO the exelu-
sion OF all other foresgn topics. as indl-
Gated by the activity OF the officials In
the state, navy and war departments
The president at oyster Bay is keeping
IN close touch with every development OF
the revolutionary movement.
The development OF yesterday was the
admission that the American cruiser
Des Moines. which sailed hastily from
Norfolk. had gone southwark to Key
West with the ultimate purpose Of pro-
ceeding TO Havana II developments with
in the next two days seem 10 warrant
such action.
At Key West the Des Moines will be
about eight hours run from Havana. and
while waiting there Commander Halsey
will be in close communication with the
navy department prepared to immediate
ly carry out any request from the depart
ment OF state
There Is no intention I'm this movement
OF the Des Moines OF showing any par
tiality by the American government
toward one side or the other in the pres
ent conflict I'm Cuba. The ship will be at
Havana TO serve as an asylum In case
OF need and be at the disposition OF the
American charge
She is not formidable craft being
OF only 800 tons displacement and with
a main battery Of 6-inch guns. but for
the duty intended she will be quite as
effective as a battleship.
II the navy is making ready in other
respects for contingencies in Cuba the
fact is carefully concealed at the de-
partment. but IL is known that the am
bition of the general board Is TO keep
the ships in state OF preparedness, and
II Is believed that there will be no difh-
Guilty In dispatching almost Immediately
from the home ports any naval force that
might be required in Cuba.
For It's part, the army is prepared to
answer any call. though there are no
orders yet from the president or secre-
tary Of war. The individual officers re-
sponsible for campaign work are merely
making ready for any emergency with
out specific instructions.
In case the United States government
finds IL necessary TO intervene In Cuban
affairs under the provisions OF the Platt
amendment, which gives this government
power TO maintain pubic order, the forces
which would have TO pe used for that
purpose would be found in a much better
state OF preparation than when hostili-
ties occurred between the United States
and Spain.
The long military occupation Of Cuba
by the United states troops afforded an
opportunity 10 army officers to become
no portion of the earth is better known
20 the military authorities Of the United
States than the island OF Cuba.
In addition TO the familiarity OF the
army officers with the geography and
general conditions in Cuba, all OF the
supply departments are better equipped
and the methods OF delivering quarter
masters supplies. commissary stores,
arms and ammunition have been studied
and the supplies are In readiness for use
In case the army is required to be put in
action.
1t is not expected that a large force
would be used in case OF intervention, at
least not for some time, and not until de-
monstratlon OF the need OF large force.
All the supply departments Of the army
have on hand all that is necessary for
any force which may be deemed neces-
sary for a first expedition.
So, as stated yesterday officially, II is
the purpose OF the administration TO pro-
ceed with great deliberation in dealing
with the Cuban question, and II was said
on the highest authority that there would
be no Intervention by the United States
unless the rebellion assumed the proper
tons of a general conflagration.
Another interesting statement from Of
fetal sources was to the effect that care
full inquiry had satisfied the administra-
ton that none of the great American cap
italists interested in Cuban plantations
and properties had expressed a desire for
the intervention of this government under
the terms of the Plat amendment.
on the contrary IL was stated. these
people seemd 10 be averse TO any such
Intervention, fearing that IL would precip-
itate the destruction OF their property
during the long guerilla warfare that
might be expected to follow the landing
of American troops I'm Cuba.
They realize that IL they were paid for
the property so destroyed (about which.
It's pointed out, heEe4s-fie-eertainty,
many international lawyers holding that
a government is not responsible for losses
caused by rebels). It might be a fhatter
of 10 or more years before any adjustment
could be had. so they prfeer peace under
present conditions.
HAVANA INTERESTED.
Havana, Sept 12.-The news that the
United States is sending one or more war
ships to Cuba is exciting great interest
here Some at first were inclined to jump
at the conclusion that the United states
is about to take a hand at enforcing
peace but later the opinion became gen
eral that the act had not necessarily
larger significance than would attach 10