of hostilities which had been acquiesced in
by the Liberals only out of deference to Mr. Taft and his commission.

In other words, Dr. Zayas stated that they wished the immediate
resignation of President Palma, his cabinet, and all members of Congress
who had secured their seats at the last election; and he intimated that
the judges of the courts who had been appointed by the Conservative
party were corrupt and incompetent, and should be replaced by better
men. In fact, they demanded the removal of the entire administration,
and the annulment of the results of the last election.

Against this Mr. Taft protested, stating that Dr. Zayas's suggestions
were decidedly radical; that so far as Estrada Palma was concerned, he
had been elected with at least the moral support of the United States
government; that Washington knew and trusted him and had every reason to
believe him a thoroughly honest man; and that he could not consent to
any move so sweeping as that which Dr. Zayas suggested. Dr. Zayas
immediately withdrew his objection to President Palma, stating that, on
second thought, his retention as President would preserve the republican
form of government, and save the island from a political change that
should be avoided if possible. Therefore, Mr. Palma was more than
welcome to remain as President of the Republic; but every other
condition expressed with reference to Congress, the cabinet and the
courts, must be enforced, and at once. That was the ultimatum given to
Mr. Taft by the leaders of the Liberals.

This ultimatum was conveyed at once to President Palma, together with
the intimation that it was a bad mess all around, and that, since a
force variously estimated at between twelve and twenty thousand men
surrounded the City of Havana, and property was in danger, and since
Orestes Ferrara had already notified the commission that if the demands
were not acquiesced in, three of the large sugar plantations in the
neighborhood of Cienfuegos would be given over to the torch at daylight
the next morning, it was probably best to yield to the demands of the
Liberals, and practically to let them have their way, in the interest of
peace, brotherhood and conservation of the rights of property.

This astounding and unworthy attitude on the part of the Commission
deeply hurt President Palma, who had with good cause expected not only
its moral aid but probably also the military support of the armed force
that came to Cuba, at