The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-11-01
Circulation Statement.
Politics In Cuha.

Considering social and political con-
diuons in cuba. il would have been
passing strange il the candidacy of
Tomas Estrada Palma for the Presi-
dency Of the Republic had gone unchal-
lenged by any of the factiOnal leaders
Of the island A few weeks ago it look
ed on the surface as if Estrade Palma
would be allowed 10 slip into office
without opposition 1t is not SO to be-
Bartolome Maso. identified with the ne
gro and revolutionary elements. has an
nOunced his candidacy. and, as he has
large following he may become a Sc
riOus factor in Cuba's first political
campaign.
In mis- pronunciamento Maso declares
that he has been induced TO enter the
field Of Presidential candidature in or
der TO preserve the nationalism and
patriotism Of the country He makes
a strong bid for the support Of the Au-
economist and Spanish factions 1t is.
he says, also desirable to associate in
the work Of forming the republic the
coiOred race, which is an essential fac
tor in our social existence, and has
proved an orderly element even amid
great suffering. We cannot abandon
these heroes now by denying them par
ticipation in our political personality"
.MasO continues:
The military government has ignored this eIe-
meut not considering 1t necessary. Il is also
desirable 70 associate in the work Of forming the
republic the colored race. which is essential
factor IN our social existence. and has proved an
orderly element even amid great suffering We
cannot abandon these heroes now by denying them
participation IN our political personality. We
tho NU1VTIrfs II 70
the nerve Of our existence The future OF Cuba
cannot be 90 them matter of indifference.
The Cuhans today are poor people We have
lost a Tot of time during the Intervention The
element around the military governor has forgot
ten the duty 81 reconstretlon- Who're rIuch
might easily have been accomplished nothIn, has
been done. II is necessary TO reorganizc the va
rIous departments on an economical basis IN order
70 get rid of what is suDerfu1us- We have sufh-
Client money 60 start simple form Of govern
ment n u is administered on sound financial lTiu-
Ciple-
ia is obvious that absolute independer e., Il
government Is not % be established for tie IN
avOIdab- demands of foreign policy FAUST De- 7at-
isted- The treaty which the CuhaUs axe going
to draw up with the United States should be the
object OF immediate attention in order 10 carry
on the COVE Hment iutellgentiy. Il is also de-
sirable 20 learn the meaning and extent OF the
limitations, but we must make our purpose clear
not 90 rcnouncc sovereignty and independence
whenever the definite establishment Of the same
u possible. Ia the treaty shall have 90 try
20 get concessions trem the United states. Thee
are cue u IN strict Justice. N Tor nothing less
than the fact that the United States by using
Cuba. have solved an importaEt international
problem"
The most Objectionable feature Of
Maso's candidacy is that it viii. If per
sisted in, tend 10 bring the race ques-
ton into the canvass. something that
all intelligent elements in the country
have striven 10 avoid. The Cuban
blacks. with few exceptions. are densely
ignorant. and, outside Of the centres Of
population. as in the eastern provinces.
are almost wild. \ government based
even to limited extent upon their suf-
frages. and. hence, under obligations to
them and more or less controlled by
them would not be such a stable gov
eminent" as must be established before
the United States can afford or intends
% abandon Cuban internal government
TO the Cuban people. AIasO understands
so much OF the necessary relations 10
be established between the island and
fits sUzerain. that he ought 10 under
stand that as well. He admits that at
first unrestricted sovereignty is not con-
templated, and that the foreign rela-
lions Of the new State are 70 be sub
ject TO the supervision and control OF
the United States. He hints, however,
that his election would mean a govern
ment Of agitation against American
overlordship in any respect, and that
he ought TO know. could not be allowed.
We suppose that Cuban mat ers will
adjust themselves in some way In the
course Of time. but the election as first
president Of such a person as NasO
could hardly be expected TO speed the
da-