Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-12
OCCUPATION OF CUBA
Intervention Forced Upon the
United States.
EFFORTS TO AVOID IT
Opposing Political Leaders Could Not
Reach a Compromise.
PALMA CALLED FOR WARSHIPS
Taft Obliged to Proclaim Himself
Governor-Appointm of
Magoon.
PALMA CALLED FOR WARSHIPS
RY WILLIAM r. CURTIS.
Special Correspondence of The Star and the Chicago
Record Herald

BY WILLIAM r. CURTIS.
Special Correspondence of The Star and the Chicago
Record Herald.
HAVANA. March I, 1907.
On the 10Th of September. 1905. pro-
yisfonal government was established in
Cuba by the United States under authority
conferred by what is known the Platt
amendment to the resolutions of Congress
recognizing the independence of the island
and confirmed by treaty. This amendment
gives the United States the right to inter
yene at any time to preserve peace.
on the Sth of September preceding the Sec
rotary of State received cabegram from
Mr.. Stenhart. who has been consul general
for the United States at Havana since in
dependence and who was there during the
military occupation, saying that President
Palma urgently requested President Roose-
Welt to send naval force to Cuba because
his government was not able to queli re-
bellion that had broken out and could not
protect life and property.
In Mr. Roots absence, Assistant Secre-
tary Bacon replied that PRESIDENT rama
should be informed that in pubic opinion
here 1t would have most damaging erect
for intervention to De undertaken until the
Cuban government has exhausted every
effort in a serious attempt to put down
the insurrection and made that fact evil
dent to the world
Mr. Steinhart replied that this matter nad
already been considered, and that Presl-
dent Palma asked the Snaps to give security
to foreigners in the island while he was
doing as much as he could to put down the
Instruction.
This correspondence continued for several
DAVIS Mr.. Bacon endeavoring to convince
the Cuban government that 1t is better
for it to find some other way to settle
it's difficulties. irrespective of PERSONAL
ties to cease it's contentious and live In
E'inat ly N n,
Mr. Steinhart telegraphed that the revou-
ton could not be overcome and that Presi-
dent Palma had irrevocably resolved to re-
sign and to deliver the government over 10
the representative of the United States in
order to save his country from complete
anarchy.
Appeal to the Cubans.
On the 18th of September President Roose-
Welt addressed letter to Mr.. Quesada, the
Cuban minister in Washington, which was
intended for the Cuban people In 1t he de-
scribed the dreadful disaster imminent in
Cuba and pointed out that the only way
in which Cuban independence could be en-
dangered was for the people of that island
to show their inability to continue In the
path of. peaceful and orderly progress He
solemnly adjured all patriotic .Cubans to
band together, to SINK personal uiIei e r
and ambitions and rescue the island from
the dangers of civil war. He called atten-
ton to the fact that the treaty made IL the
duty of the United States to intervene
whenever property and individual HE ana
liberty were not considered safe. That
treaty" he said, sis the law of the iano
and + will execute it. l most earnestly
hope that there will be no necessity TOT IN
PREVENTION, and l have profound faith that
Won will be able to settle things. for thlnk
that the Cubans of both sides have oeen
a good deal impressed by the notice OF what
will come to them if they do not quit quar-
reling.
In response-t to this appeal President Palma
renewed his request for Intervention ana
two days later Secretary Taft and Assistant
Secretary Bacon started for Havana 10 look
into the situation. They arrived there sep
TENDER ~. and Immediately proceeded 10
have daily conferences with Presioeht
Palma, with Senior Mendez CapoIe; tne neao
of the moderate party. and Alfredo Zayas
the head of the liberal party. ana other
leaders on both sides. They caused IL 10
he known through the newspapers ana otn-
erwise that they were anxious 10 consult
ornninent men of all nationaltieS and po-
litical opinions in order to inteiiigently rec
Commend to the President what ought TO be
done.
Negotiations in Cuba.
These conferences continued for several
DAYS. while 5000 rebels. under the leaders
of the liberal party. organized for the over
throw of the moderate administration, We're
encamped around Havana prepared to attack
that city. President Palma's government
was helpless 1t was thoroughly democrat
lied and without moral support or SYM
pathy outside of the city Ana, indeeu, IL
had very little support In Havana or else
where The government forces were limited
to 600 artillery and 5000 rural guards.
scattered all over the island, and could not
be depended upon. Many OF the guards were
sympathizers with the insurrection, ana
Secretary Taft was told that at least half OF
the police force in Havana would desert 10
the insurrectos if they entered the city.
A small guard of 12J marines was landed
from the United States cruiser Denver to
protect the presidents palace and the treas
ury and a portion of the North Atlantic
feet was ordered to Havana in haste.
AS a result of repeated conferences with
the leaders of the insurrection, the members
of the government and other influential
members of the community. compromise
proposed by Gen. MenOcal was adopted by
Secretary Taft and Mr.. Bacon as fair
basis for settlement and accepted by the
insurgents. Under this compromise Senior
Palma to continue as President De
cause he was believed to be the most disin-
terested patriot on the island. and although
he had not been a success as an administra-
tor he had the confidence of the people. 1t
was proposed that he should form d.
partisan cabinet from leading members OF
both political parties and call new cleo
ton for members of Congress The final and
chief cause of the rebellion was the man
ner in which the recent elections had been
conducted. By methods which need not be
described the moderates had elected
house of representatives composed entirely
OF members OF tndt party. MOI u Single
eral candidate in any province was sue
cessful. Frauds were SO open that nobody
took the trouble to deny them.
The members of the moderate party,
however. refused to accept the compromise.
President Palma rejected 1t because 1t was
a mere patched-up affair which simply
postponed the evil day, and IL entered into
would not last for a month"
A crisis was then created by the uncon-
ditional resignation of President Palma
and Vice President Capote. and by the re-
fusal of the moderates to attend a session
of Congress called to elect their successors.
This left that body without a quorum and
Cuba without a government
Secretary Tafrsays. In his report to the
President: THE strong desire of the mod
crates was to secure our Intervention. but
they were most anxious to do 1t without In
curing the criticism as a party which
they knew would be directed against them
IL they were plainly and directly responsible
for bringing intervention about"
Taft Takes Over the Government.
On the 18th of September President Pal
ma addressed letter to.Mr. Taft and Mr..
Bacon advising them Of his resignation and
asking them to take charge of the govern
ment and the sum of $l3, 81. $50. 55. which,
he said. they would find in the treasury.
Taft ip,nadiately plared the