The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-04-10
CUBA RESTORED TO
CUBANS JULY, 4, 'O8
Taft Holds Conferences With
Various Committees
INSURGENTS COMPLAINTS
Conservatives Ask That No Elections
Be Held Before Next February.
Want independence By
December.
INSURGENTS COMPLAINTS

Havana, April 9.-It appears tonight that
July 1, 1908, will be the day when the
control of Cuban affairs is given back
to the Cuban people.
The liberals are anxious that the final
elections be held in December, 1907, and
the government turned over May 20, 19OS
the anniversary of the Inauguration of
the first Cuban republic. They also want
the municipal and provincial elections
held simultaneously. The conservatives
ON the other hand. desire that the final
elections be held later than next Decem-
Der, and that the municipal and provin-
cial elections be held six months apart.
In view of this divergence of DESIRE a
compromise which will result in the turn
ing over of the control of Cuban affairs
on the American holiday is probable.
1t is known that Secretary Taft in
sists upon thorough census regarding
such a step absolutely necessary before
successful elections can be held This
undoubtedly will require more than four
months the estimate of time therefor
made by the liberals.
Consequently the municipal elections
will fall in October or November, but
as December is the month for harvesting
the sugar crop, it is recognized that cleo
tions in October or November are inn
practicable, as they would pretty thor
oughly disorganlze the community at
just the time when the greatest number
of men are needed in the fields.
The wishes of the planters, therefore,
1. 41,a (t,,I,
crop will b gathered under American
control
Secretary Taft was busy all the morn
ing receiving committees. One, composed
of prominent citizens of Matanzas, pre-
sented petition for the removal of the
governor of Matanzas province. and the
municipal authorities of aMtanzas city,
claiming that fair elections were an i'm
possibility while these officials remained
in office.
delegation from the planters league
called on the secretary and expressed the
hope that no elections would be held at
an early date, saying that such pro-
cess would prevent them from obtaining
money from the bankers
committee of the insurgent generals
called and asked for the removal of the
municipal ohlcials of the city of Mariana,
Blabano and Havana, claiming that ex-
If6SiueHl nlcSdlly SuDSliluttu lue
present officers for regularly elected Of
ficers.
That there be no elections before next
February was the urgent request the
conservatives at conference with the
secretary today.
The only other desire expressed by the
conservative committee was that Cuban
independence be re-established before the
expiration, December, 1908, of the present
reciprocity treaty, in order that Cuba be
in a position to treat for a renewal of
this treaty.
The committee urged the Importance
of holding municipal elections first and
the other elections subsequently.
Secretary Taft will communicate with
President Roosevelt tonight by telegraph
and he probably will make statement
tomorrow. Consequently, great expectation
prevails
Although the committee of insurgent
generals that conferred with Secretary
Tat yesterday reiterate their statements
that Mr.. Taft promised them national
elections in December. it now appears,
as a matter of fact, that the secretary
only said he would recommend such ac-
ton to President Roosevelt.