The Washington times., 1906-10-07
Provisional Governor Is
Given Free Hand by
President.
LAW OF CUBA SUPREME
Cost of Intervening Govern
ment and Salaries of Civil
Employees Cuba'S Burden.

When Judge Charles Z. AIagoon. un-
Ill recently governor of the Canal Zone
ana American minister 20 Panama. re-
leves Secretary Of War Taft as pro-
visionaI governor OF Cuba this week.
he VIII be IN supreme and practically
independent command on the island.
This authority was vested in the new
governor by the President and Secretary
of State Root just prior 10 his depart
ure yesterday.
AS the new governor and the head of
the army are speeding southwark the
machinery of the army is turning rap
idly, day and night, without a moment 3
cessation, in order to rush troops to the
scene 10 cope with any possible situa-
ton that might arise. More troops viii
sail from Newport News today and
within a week an army of over 5000
men will be landed on the island. ready
for action.
Governor Magoon and General Bell
left Washington on a limited train for
Florida They were acc ccompanied by
Mrs. Taft and Mrs. Bacon and Captain
Wright. the personal aide OF General
Bell. Previous TO their departure there
was a protracted conference at the
White House and later at the State De
partment In the White House confer
ence both the President and Secretary
Root went thoroughly into the situa-
ton with the two officials and dis
cussed in detail the military and diplo-
matte problems they are expected 10
work out.
Magoon Given Free Hand.
How long General Bell will remain on
the island was not determined. but he
will likely return with Secretary Tart
and Mr. Bacon Neither OF those officials
will leave Havana, however. TIL the
situation has been fully grasped by
. Governor MagOOn. he assuming the
military responsibilities from Secretary
Taft and the diplomatic duties from the
Assistant Secretary of State. The new
governors line of work will scarcely be
laid out for him by those officials, how
ever, for in the conference yesterday
afternoon the President and Secretary
Root gave him practically carte blanche
10 handle the situation as he thinks
best. Following the conference with
Governor Magoon and General Bell
at the White House the governor was
clOseted for some time with Secretary
Root i'm his office in the State Depart
ment There the Secretary went more
into detail concerning the diplomatic
duties of the governor in questions per
tanning 10 the affairs of the Cuban gov
ernment as related 10 the United States
In the White House conference ques-
tions of great international Importance
were settled, one Of the most import
ant being whether the sovereignty TO be
exercised should be American or CuO-
an. the decision being in favor of the
latter.
Will Govern in Three Roles.
1t was decided that Judge AIagoon. as
governor of Cuban. VIII be the supreme
authority of the island, and while his
instructions we're general he will De eX-
pected to rely upon his judgment, form
ed by a close study of the conditions.
20 work out the details. His position
will be an unusual one, in that he viii
exercise the authority Of a provisional.
military. and civil governor. all in one.
His authority is even more general than
was that Of General Wood as military
governor Of Cuba following the Spanish
American war.
Who Pays the Cost?
While the question Of who pays the
cost Of the irte.v ening government was
not discussed at any length. the in
ference from the decision of the Presi-
dent, which, of course, is the legal
opinion of Secretary Root, IS that the
Cuban treasury will have TO stand the
expense. especially the salary Of the
governor and other Americans who may
be employed in the civil service.
H/LoIoc1To Er0uIc