New-York tribune., 1907-04-10
CUBA'S NEXT REPUBLIC
NAY BEGIN JULY /, 1908.
Many appeals to Secretary Taft
Possible Com promise.

Havana, April 9-It appears tonight that
July f. 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 cleo
tons be held in December, 1907, and the gov
ernnlent turned over on May 20, 1908, the ami
Versary of the Inauguration of the first Cuban
republic; they also want the municipal ana pro-
vincial elections held simultaneously. The Con-
servatives on the other hand, desire that the
Anal elections be held later than next December
and that the municipal and provincial elections
be held six months apart. In view of this diver
gence Of desire compromise which will result
in the turning over of the control Of Cuban af-
fairs on the American holiday is probable.
It is known that Secretary Taft insists on
thorough census, considering such step aoso-
lutely necessary before successful elections can
be held This undoubtedly viii require more
than four months. the estimate made by the
Liberals. Consequently, the municipal elecuohS
would fall in October November, but as De-
cember is the month for harvesting the sugar
crop. it is recognized that elections in October
November are impracticable. as they WouId
disorganize the community at the time when the
greatest number Of men are needed in the fields.
The wishes Of the planters, therefore, will be
needed. and the next Cuban sugar crop will be
gathered under American control.
Secretary Taft vii! communicate with Pres
ident Roosevelt tonight by telegraph, and prob
ably viii make public statement tomorrow
Secretary Taft was busy all the morning re-
ceiving commissions. one. composed Of prom
inent citizens of Matanzas. presented a petition
for the removal of the Governor Of Matanzas
province and the municipal authorities Of Ma
tanzas city saying that fair elections were an
impossibility while those officials remained in
Office
A committee of insurgent generals called and
asked for the removal OF the municipal officers
OF the cities Of Havana, Marianao and Bata-
bano, alleging that President Palma Illegally
substituted the present officers for regularly
elected Liberals.
Although the committee of insurgent generals
who conferred with Secretary Taft yesterday
reiterate their statements that Mr. Taft prom
ised them national elections IN December. il now
appears. as a matter Of fact, that the Secretary
only said he would recommend such action 20
President Roosevelt.
The legislative commission appointed by Gov
ernor Magoon to revise the laws Of Cuba. in
cluding electoral and municipal regulations. has
been congratulated by Secretary Taft because
It has not adopted Anglo-Saxon laws. but. on
the contrary. has made use of the laws Of Spain,
eliminating In some cases and in others ad-
ding what practice and experience have shown
TO be suitable to the Cuban people. The Secre-
American chairman Of this commission.
The rector and the members Of the faculty
OF the University of Havana called on Secretary
Taft to-day and paid their respects
At 4:30 O'Clock this afternoon the Secretary
went out to Camp Columbia, where no reviewed
the American forces under General Barry Sub
sequently he received the army officers at Cen
eral Barrys residence
MOnsignor AYersa, the Apostolic Delegate TO
Cuba, and the Right Rev Peter Estrada, Bishop
OF Havana, called on Secretary Taft tonight re-
garding the purchase by the State Of Church
property in Havana which has been occupied
since 1901 for government purposes. for the
of 81 932 143 This sale was recently
ranged by Secretay Taft in washington.
Some OF the local newspapers continue to de-
nounce this transfer with energy. They say that
nearly 81, 100000 less than the price which the
Secretary proposes. They add that the same
amount OF money would suffice 10 erect modern
buildings, while Of the churches listed at
S1.OSOO00 is three hundred years old and crum-
bling to pieces.