The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-26
Especial to The rimes-pispu,ob.I

Washington. May 25.-Americanl
troops and American war vessels are
on their way to Cuba, and American
military occupation OF the island Ia
assured for the third time since th,
Spanish American War. Troops were
ordered to Cuba to-day following the
receipt of reports that the negro r,bels
mad attempted to gain control of the
island government. After oommuni-
eating with President Taft, the State
Department called on tho navy ana
Marine Corps TO rush as quickly as pos
slole all forces available to Cuba or
the immediate vicinity. in preparation
for protecting American property and
restoring order.
In addition to the sunboats already
In Cuban waters and the 700 marines
that are being rushad to Santiago on
the Prairie. the Navy Department.
promptly sent practically half the bat
tieship Meet with all the marines they
can carry, to Key West to await FUR
Their developments. This force consists
OF all available vessels of tho battle
ship heet--one armored cruiser and
eight bettleships. with a. hospital ship
and feet of tugs. These nine shfps
have q complement OF about 500 men
each. including eighty marines each.
In addition TO the total OF over TOO
marines which they carry In their oom-
plement. they We're instructed to take
aboard at New York. Boston, Philadei-
phia. Key West and other points an
additional 1900 marines. These, with
the TOO that were sent from Philadel-
phia Thursday, will make available in
Cuban ports within the next few days.
landing force of approximately 2T5OI
marines The warships will be mobil-
lied at Key West, where they will
await the necessity of action in Cuba.
If their assistance shall be required
island capital. putting into ports where
the situation Is most serious.
Marines VIII DO Work.
According To the plans SO far drawn
up. the sending of American forces to j
Cuba Will differ from the two previous
interventions in that the marines will
do the work formerly assigned to they
army, and they will be sent for the
announced purpose OF protecting
American interests and not as a forced
intervention.
The War Department was thorough
ly alive to the situation to-day and
!: tie In the afternoon the whole pro-
blem was thoroughly canvassed In a !
long conference between Secretary
Stimson. Major General Wood, chief Z
of stan; General Mills, president of
the War College: Major Graves. secre-
tary of the General staff; and Cap
tain Mccoy. who has had considerable J
uuty In CuDa, folloWlnS the con-
ference. ii was stated that the army
had not been called on to go to Cuba,
and no orders whatever had been sent !
to the troops.
The gunboat Paducah which has
been at Guantanamo, watching the
situation for the last week or two.
was dispatched this morning to Ntpe
Bay north OF Santiago and she will
probably arrive tonight. The condi-
tons are reported very serious in that
ships. and additional marines to Key
West. however. the state Department.
sent notice to President Gomez
through the American minister at
Havana OF this governments intention.
Appreciation was expressed OF the
governments efforts to Quell the dis
t:rbance and restore order. but
President Gomez was informed that
II his efforts were, not SUCCESSFUL with
in a limited timeSthe United States
would feel the necessity of landing
marines to protect American inter-
ests ~
Reports which reached the State Do
partmont from different sources to-day
indicated that President Gomez viii,
have difficulty III quelling the fnsur-
rection within the next two weeks, tf
Mt all.
Forces Inadequate.
The reports indicated that the prea-
emit forces at Banes and Nlpe Bay are
wholly inadequate to protect the Ina :.
portant American property IN that dts. i
trlct from disturbances and IT ID
CONTINUED on Eight PaFA