The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-09-21
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS
 CROW MORE COMPLEX
SECOND DAY OF CONFERENCE EVOLVES NO ANNO OUNCEABLE
 PLAN OF COMPROMISE.

Whether Cuba Shall Live as Nation
 Question Whether Men in Havana
 Represent the Entire IsIand-SenatOr
 Zayas to File Brief of Liberal Griev-
 ances To-Day.
 Havana, Sept. 2O.-A second day of conferences with the leaders of the fac tions in the Cuban conflict has not en- abled Secretary of War Taft and As- sistant Secretary of State Bacon to an- nounce any plan of compromise. So strenuous are the appeals of both the liberal and moderate party leaders that the situation becomes increasingly com plicated as the negotiations proceed However, Secretary Taft said tonight that he believed when they are brought face to face with the danger of losing independence forever all patriotic Gu bans will be willing to make conces- sions. MT. Taft added that the United States peace emissaries are occupying a very delicate position, and have under taken to hear all complaints and that until they have made themselves thor oughly conversant with the political turmoil of Cuba they cannot express themselves freely in the conference, fearing that possible nl1sunderstand- ings may have a deterrent effect on the proceedings The only counsel to the political leaders given by MT. Taft was on the subject of not engaging in any further agitation that might make in- terventlon by the United States neces- sary. This advice he offers to all re- gardless of party. MT. Taft has made it clear that the United States is not seeking to exercise control over the island or any of It's affairs but he has quoted President Roosevelt's letter to Minister Ouesada ito the effect that the Limited States has a duty which 1t can not shirk To those whom he has met in conference MT. Taft has said that now Is the time to decide whether they would ave Cuba live as nation. He weighed every word carefully and nei- ther upheld or criticised the principles of either faction.
 Whether the men they met in Hava- ma represent the sentiment of the entire island is question that is troubling the American rlediators. There is some, fear that even If the entanglement ds strengthened out here the opposing forces in Santa Clara and Pinar del Rio provinces, and even in Santiago will not be satisfied. MT. Taft realizes that unless the national spirit is arous- ed the commercial interests will have mo confidence in any settlement that
 
 may be reached. On this point the mediators are confronted with their madn difficulty, for no way has been devised to obtain the sentiment of those in the field without treating with arm ed forces, winch might be regarded as a recognition of the insurgents. Sem ator Alfredo Zayas is generally regard ed as the official representative of the revolution, but he cannot claim that distinction in negotiating with Secre- tary Taft. as that would make him revolutionist and terminate free inter- course with President Roosevelt's rep- resentatives.
 One sentence from Senator Zayas' address as president of the liberal party is attracting much attention, as show ing the relations between that party and the insurrection. Senator Zayas said:
 'tThe liberal party is not revolution, but the programme of revolution must become the programme of the liberal party"
 Senator Zayas has been received by Messrs. Taft and Bacon at the home of Minister Morgan in Marianao more fre- quently than any other of the Cuban leaders. At to-days visit he was ex- pected to file a brief setting forth the grievances of the liberals, but he plead- ed for more time and was given until tomorrow
 Vice-President Mendez Capote, the spokesman for the moderates, or gov ernment party, to-day filed brief de- claring the moderate position and ad- Vancing certain propositions for settling the controversy. By MT. Tafts order this was sealed and will not be taken up for consideration until it can be done in connection with the argument pf the opposing side.
 Mayor Cardenas and number of the principal officials of Havana paid long visit to-day to Messrs Taft and Bacon and argued that it was the duty of the United States to support the rec ognized government, The mayor un- dertook to assist Secretary Taft to get in touch with the commercial interests and, under MT. Taft's instructions, will direct the several guilds each to name a representative to talk with the medi- ators oonfidentially. The commercial affairs of Cuba have suffered during the present brief conflict more severely, many people say, than during the ten years war. Hardly a shipment has left Havana wholesale houses or manufac- tories in the last ten days. Financial circles are aghast, and business men are awaiting with great anxiety an op- portunity to meet Messrs. Taft and Ba- ] con, who are looked to to save Cuba's credit.
 Cuban, Spanish, American and other business men are talking of uniting in a petition to Messrs. Taft and Bacon urging some radical form of interven- tton or annexation.
 Officials of the government say their htsitude has not changed, and deny that any of them entertains an intention of resigntng.
 ' The programme of the American peace commissioners for tomorrow in- (CUntinued on Second Page)