Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-27
President, at Jersey City,
Sends Final Message
to Gomez.
WARSHIPS ON THE WAY
But They Will Be Halted at Key
WeSt-Number Rebels Killed
in an Engagement.


dent Taft today sent a message to
President Gomez saying ne would not
intervene in Cuba.
The presidents message was in re-
ply to one received from Gomez. Taft
says the object of the movement of
ships is merely to be able to act
in case it becomes necessary
TO protect American life and property
by rendering moral support to Cuba.
This was fully. explained at the Gu
ban charge d'affaires at Washington
and it was made quite clear at the
time that these ordinary measures OF
precaution We're entirely disassociated
from any question of Intervention.
MESSAGE PLEAsES.
Havana, May 27.-Gomez has re-
ceived message from Taft disclaim-
ing any intention to intervene. He
Immediately summoned a meeting of
the cabinet, to which he communicate
ed the text of the message, and ex-
pressing highest appreciation of
Taft's attitude. Gomez is now en-
SdSeu III preparing q reply.
GOMEZ NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Washington, May 27.-Feeling as
sured that President Gomez has mis-
understood the purpose of the Amer
lean government in dispatching large
naval forces, now on the way to Key
West, the state department, after
having instructed American Minister
Beaupre at Havana to make plain to
the Cuban government the purpose of
the movement, has now left to the dis
cretion of Colonel Karmany, COM
manding the marine force, enroute on
the cruiser Prairie and due at Guam
tanamo tomorrow, the extent to which
the marines shall be employed
NO SINISTER PURPOSE.
1t is believed as soon as Gomez
is made aware of the fact there is no
sinister purpose behind the movement
will do nothing more than to use their
forces to prevent injury to American
lives and property, he will no longer
object.
1t was thoroughly appreciated here
today that the Cuban president must
assume a rather resentful attitude to-
ward what might appear to be an in
vasion of the island, lest the patriot
ism of the Cubans be stirred TO re-
sistance.
WILL PROTECT AMERICANS.
| Should he persist in objections.
however, the American naval COM
manders will not remain Indifferent
to the demands of Americans for pro-
lection where it is clear the Cuban
government cannot afford it.
The senate committee on Cuban re-
| lations directed Chairman Page to
necessary recommendations for leg
islation to provide direct and clear
provisions of law governing when and
how the United States may intervene
in Cuba under the Platt amendment.
The battleships Minnesota, Mississ-
ippi, Missouri and Ohio sailed from
New York harbor at o'clock Sunday
afternoon for Key West in command
of Captain Clark. Marines were TAX
en- on board at New York. The bat
tleships Georgia, Rhode Island and
New Jersey left Hampton Roads yes,
terday for Key West in command OF
Admiral Fiske.
The Nebraska has been ordered by
wireless to proceed to Key West, and
as it is now in the gulf is expected 70
arrive before the others. The sup
ply ship Lebanon will accompany the
battleships. The aTmored cruiser
Washington is enroute 10 Key West
with Rear Admiral Osterhaus in
charge of the squadron on board.
PLANTATION BURNED.
Santiago, 3lay 27.-A coffee plan.
tation belonging to German subject
near FL Cobre, was burned today by
rebels. Horses and cattle were car
ried off. a protest was lodged with
the German counsel.
Havana, May 27.-A strike oi
lightermen and other laborers in the
port of Havana terminated TO-DAY
when President Gomez indicated the
strikers must ceaEe their agitation
pending the crisis through which tins
country is passing.
The government continues to rusl
renforcements of troops TO the dis
turbed section of the island.
REBEL FORCES ROUTED.
Santiago, Cuba, May 27.-TToop
under Colonel Machada Sunday ha'
! an engagement at ParraI with tn
rebels, in which a number of the rel
r els are reported 10 have been kille
: or wounded, the remainder being diI
Derged.