The Politics of Intervention

96 THE POLITICS OF INTERVENTION

needed. The main points of contention were the restoration

of the officials removed in 1905 and 1906 and the validity of

the elections of 1905. Taft concluded that the congressional

elections must be voided, while Estrada Palma's office could

be negotiated. The problem was the rebel generals' popularity

and their potential for mischief. As for American goals, Taft

wrote Roosevelt:

Of course what you and I want is peace, and to get these insurgents

to lay down their arms and go back into the country, and I am willing

to sacrifice a good deal to do this, because it is possible the next gov­

ernment will have sense enough to lay the foundation of an army that

will suppress future resorts to violence in remedying political wrongs.^35

Thus far in the negotiations Roosevelt concurred with Taft's

views, though he doubted that Estrada Palma could be saved.

He believed the compromise plan would work because the

Moderates "must accede" or fall from power. But if the insur­

gents did not accept the terms, Taft should ask them for

counter-proposals rather than threaten intervention.^36 Only

as a last resort should Taft land troops "to save life and

property in Havana," and in any case the use of the word

"intervention" must be avoided.^37

On September 24, Taft formally approached the Revolu­

tionary Committee (Zayas and his fellow Liberals) with the

compromise. The essence of Taft's plan was:

1. Estrada Palma would continue as President for a full term.


2. Senators and representatives elected in 1905 would resign.


3. An electoral law would be drafted by a mixed commission and new
   elections would be held, perhaps as early as January.


4. New laws would be enacted to protect municipal autonomy, establish
   judicial independence, and create a non-partisan civil service.


5. All the provincial and municipal officials elected in 1905 would have
   to stand for re-election.


6. The rebels would disarm and disband under a general amnesty.

Though the Liberals wanted Estrada Palma's powers of
appointment curtailed and their partisans restored immedi­
ately to provincial and municipal office, "they indicated the