The story of that experience is told in another chapter.  In 1906, there came one of the most deplorable experiences in the history of the island, the first and only discreditable revolution.  The causes of the experience are not open to our criticism.  Our own records show too much of precisely the same kind of work, illegal registration, ballot box stuffing, threats and bribery.  The first election in the new Republic was carried with only a limited and somewhat perfunctory opposition to the candidacy of Estrada Palma.  Before the second election came, in 1905, he allied himself definitely with an organization then known as the Moderate party.  The opposition was known as the Liberal party.  Responsibility for the disgraceful campaign that followed rests on both, almost equally.  The particular difference lies in the fact that, the principal offices having been given to adherents of the Moderates, they were able to control both registration and election proceedings.  But the methods employed by the opposition were no less censurable.  Realizing defeat, the Liberals withdrew from the field, by concerted action, on the day of the election, and the Moderates elected every one of their candidates.  Naturally, a feeling of bitter resentment was created, and there came, in the spring of 1906, rumors of armed revolt.  In August, an actual insurrection was begun.  Disgruntled political leaders gathered formidable bands in Pinar del Rio and in Santa Clara provinces.  President Palma became seriously alarmed, even actually frightened.  Through the United States Consul-General in Havana, he sent urgent appeals to Washington for naval and military aid.  Mr. Taft, then Secretary of War, and Mr. Bacon, the Assistant Secretary of State, were sent to Havana to investigate and report on the situation.  They arrived in Havana on September 19.  After ten days of careful and thorough study, and earnest effort to effect an adjustment, a proclamation was issued declaring the creation of a provisional government.  This was accepted by both parties and the insurgent bands dispersed.  Charles E. Magoon was sent down as Provisional Governor.  Americans who are disposed to censure the Cubans for this experience in their history, may perhaps turn with profit to some little experiences in the history of their own country in its political infancy, in 1786 and 1794.  Those incidents do not relieve the Cubans of the censure to which they are open, but they make it a little difficult for us to condemn them with proper grace and dignity.  The provisional government continued until January 28, 1909, when control was turned over to the duly elected officials, they being the same who withdrew from the polls, acknowledging defeat, in the election of 1905.

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INDEPENDENCE