The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-07
State Department Satisfied With Status of Affairs
 on the Island
$50 SOLDIERS ARE
 WANTED AT SANTIAGO
George Collister, Who Was Reported to Have Been Held for Ransom, Tells Interesting Story of
 Encounter With Rebels

Washington. June 6.-For the present at least the four battleships comprising the fourth squadron of the Atlantic fleet. which are due to arrive in Guantanamo bay tomorrow, with the gunboat Padueah lying off Daiquir will constitute all of the United States naval force to be as- semhled In Cuban waters.
 The state department today signlfisd its satisfaction with that part of the naval programme. and if there should be any change involving the sending of more ships to Cuba 1t must follow devel- opments in the situation not now ex- pected.
 Secretary Knox and Representative Suzef. chairman of the House commit tee foreign affairs. late today dis cussed many matters of importance now pending before Congress, especially the Cuban and Mexican situations.
 Press Has All News The secretary told Mr Suzer that tho reports which he had given to the press regarding the Cuban nsurrection embod- fed practically ali of the information which the department possessed. and he said further that no one at this mo- ment could accurately forecast the out come of the instruction.
 The present intention Is to keep the third division of the fleet at Key West so that there may be an adequate force within five hours sailing of Havana. This preoaution is deemed essential. not that there is any direct information in the possession of the state department to the effect that an outbreak is impending at Havana, but there Is much doubt as to the actual state of minds of the iaborers in Cuba The extent to which politics may enter into the situation also Is prob lematieal
 To. Get More Weapons
 With the weapons already in the possess l sion of the Cuban army. and those soon | to be sent them from the United States arSenals. t is believed the soldiers VIII | be amply equipped 70 deal with the scafit- | fly armed insurrectos, many of whom -.e said 10 possess no weapons save machettes and ancient fowling pieces and sporting rifles stolen from plantations, for which no ammunition can be obtained
 The real essential. in the opinion of general staff officers, Is cavalry necessary to run down the exceedingly active insur- roctos, for the most part mountain stock recruited from plantations.
 IL is believed that General Monteagudo's first effort. therefore, will be to increase ths number of mounted rurales
 A disconcertins suggestion from an army officer with wide Cuban experience was that when closely pursued General2 Estonez would instruct his black followers to break into small bands and surrender themselves to the American marines as- signed to guard the plantations As 1t might be regarded d certainty that Gen. eral Montearudo would summariy hang or shoot all insurrectos that fell into his hands an American marine officer would feel embarrassed In refusing to accept the surrender of such insurrectos.
 To Send Move Arms
 President Gomez has informed the United States through American Min ister Beaupre that he is forming volunteer guard 10 protect foreign property He asks his recent order for Krn~-1 -1orgensen rifles be increased from 5000 to 10000. and that 100000 cartridges accompany them. President Gomez urged the United States to make every effort to facilitate a quick de- livery of the ammunition and rifles
 The arms and ammunition, which President Gomez has requested, will be shipped immediately by rail 10 Key West Fla, and thence by water to Havana.
 special train will be required to transport the munitions from arsenals near New York and Philadelphia, 1t was stated today. An emergency ap- propriation of s5ooOO was asked of Congress during the day by Secretary Meyer.
 The Cuban governments responsi- bility for any wanton acts by the in- surrectos will not be lessened in any degree by the placing of American ma rines in the interior. This was made plain at the state department.