The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-12-27
Army Secretly Made Ready as
Result of Disturbed Condi-
tions in Island Republic.
0USTED MILITARY CHIEF
MAY START REVOLUTION
Influential Men Disgruntled
Because Special Interests
Received Concessions.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-Preparations
have been in progress for some time to
land an army In Cuba on a few days
notice TO preserve peace and protect
American and foreign interests.
Officials of the war department look
for crisis in the affairs OF the island
republic by February. The last time,
1906. that the United States intervened in
Cuba the president of the United States:
war. William H. Taft declared that IL
this country was again called In TO set
tie disputes between factions OF the Gu
ban government and maintain peace
throughout the island. the stars and
stripes would remain there.
Officials OF the state and war depart
ments have been kept in close touch with
affairs In Cuba ever since the evacua
tion by American troops less than three
years ago. Within the last six months
reports and information received from
American representatives III the island
have indicated that the Cuban govern
ment was not substantial and could eA-
list but few months longer.
Big Force Kept Ready.
Within the last three weeks the re-
ports have been so discoureging that the
war department has felt the necessity
OF keeping 5000 troops within thirty
six hours embarkatior point.
When Secretary OF War Dickinson and
Brigadier General Clarence Edwards:
the war department visited Cuba In No
vember. this year, they were startled
and amazed by the disrupted and cor
rupt conditions which they found exist
ing there
II was on the strength of their report
and those OF John B. Jackson, minister
to Cuba, that the administration deemed
II advisable TO have troops and muni-
tions of war In readiness for immediate
use Leading officers OF the army do
not believe that the American flag can
be planted in Cuba without bloodshed
According to reports In the war and
state departments. il has been the
practice" OF the United States protege
president in Cuba. James Miguel Gomez.
General Leonard Wood. President Taft
and Governor Magoon did to put the gov
ernment on a substantial basis. These
reports state that many measures have
been pushed through the Cuban legisia
ture for the benefit OF special inter
eSts.
Trade of Arsenal Property.
The sum of $500, go was received from
the United Railways for influence TO
push measure through tho house OF
representatives and senate in favor Of
the trade Of a valuable piece of prop
erty on the Havana water front, known
terminal Of the United Railways OF lla-
vana. Canadian concern, according to
n report on file In the war department
The terminal property is worth from
81. 900 900 to sl0.0o0.0o0 less than the ar
senal property, 1t is the same property
Governor Magoou, when administering
the affairs OF the island. refused TO al
low to be presented 10 the Cuban con.
gress, The contention Of the United
States then was that for military and
other purposes II did not want this prop
erty TO fall in the hands OF any govern
mcnt except its own.
Led to Gun Play and Duels.
The efforts OF Gomez in pushing this
matter through the congress or Cuba
has led TO one Of the most remarkable
scenes of gun play known in any civil
liZcd country. II has resulted In the dis
charging of firearms In the Cuban capi-
toll the exchanging of shots between
members OF the house and senate, in the
death OF four prominent legislators. two
OF which occurred in the capitol and two
of which were the result Of Il duel ON
the streets near the ca~itols
His opposition TO the trade has led To
the dismissal of Faustino Guerrero. head
of the standing army, and II Is expected
that he will start a revolution. IL result
cd in wide split between The two rae
tIons-a split which army officers WIZ
have seen service in Cuba say VIII result
" Faustino Pinto Guerrero. at the
powerful Liberal leader in Cuba The
last Intervention can be charged as
much to him as TO any other person
was Guerrero with whom It dealt in
bringing about a new election under the
supervision OF officials from this coun-
try Guerrero saddled Jose Miguel Co
mez on the Cuban people as president.
Gomez was elected Under the sunerVision
OF this country.
tate transfer measure through congress
he made a deal with telephorf COM
pany. procuring a franchise for II. Some
one received s3so: 600 from me teiepnone
by a United States army officer OF high
rank.