The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-10
One Party Urges Imme-
diate Elections, Other
Cries for Delay.
MUST
BE FIRST TAKEN
Secretary Of War Makes No
Promises, But Says He Will
Advise President to Turn
Over the Island on
4thF Of July,
1908.

HAVANA, April 9.-It appears to-
night that July 4. 1903, will be the
day when the control Of Cuban ar
fairs Is given back to the Cuban peo-
Pile.
The Liberals are anxious that the
final elections be held in December,
1907, and the government turned over
1 May 20, 1908, the anniversary Of the
inauguration of the first Cuban re-
public; they also want the municipal
and provincial elections held stimuli
staneously. The Conservatives. on the
other hand. desire that the, final elec-f
8tions be held later than next Decem-s
der. and that municipal and provin-
5cial elections be held six months apart.
In view OF this divergence of desire
compromise which will result In the
turning over OF the control OF Cuban
affairs on the American holiday is
probable.
sists upon thorough census, con-.
Ssiderins such step absolutely neces-
sary before successful elections can
be held. This undoubtedly will re-
tquire more than four months, the esti-
mate Of time therefor made by the
Liberals. Consequently the municipal
elections would fall in October or
November, but tas December is ths
month for harvesting the sugar crop,
1t is recognized that elections in Octo-
her or November are impracticable, as
they would pretty thoroughly dlsor-
ganize the community atjust the time
when the greatest number of men are
needed in the fields. 1ssf
& The wishes of the planters, therefore,
will be needed, and Cubas crop Will
he gathered under American control.
No Election Until Next Year.
HAVANA, April 9.--That there will
be no elections in Cuba before next
year was the urgent request made by
q committee of the Conservatives upon
Secretary Taft at conference held to-
day. The members OF this committee,
among whom are some OF the strong
est men in Cuba, argued that Cuba
to-day was torn by political passions,
and that at least one year must pass
before these can subside and elections
be carried out In a manner creditablo
to both the United States and Cuba.
The only other desire regarding the
committee was that Cuban Importance
be re-cstablished before the expiration,
December 18th, OF the present reci-
procity treaty, in order that Cuba be
in position to treat for a renewal
Of this treaty.
The committee urged the Importance
of holding municipal elections first
and the other elections subsequently,
separately or together, as MI. Taft
might think best.
Secretary Taft will communicate
with President Roosevelt tonight ny
telegraph, and he probably will make
public statement tomorrow. Con-
scquently great expectation prevails.
| Although the committee Of insursent
generals that conferred with Secretary
Taft yesterday reiterate their state
ments to-day that Mr. Taft promised
then national elections in Deccmber.
| 1t now appears as q matter of fact that
the secretry only said lie would roc
ommend such action to President
Roosevelt
A delegation from the Planters
League called on the secretary and OK
pressed the hope that no clections
would bo held at an carly date saying
that such a prospect would prevent
| them from obtaining money from tho
bankers.