The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-15
FRA ELBERTOS AND
\ THE LITTLE DE LUXE

brothers. and If he finds his own nom
ination impossible or impracticable
may bring forth the name of Salvador
cisneros Betancourt. better known as
the Marquis of Santa Lucia. He also IL
veteran of The war. having resigned
his title and property TO become an an
surgent. and was elected the first presl-
dent of the Cuban republic" I'm 1895.
Unlike General Gomez. who rs ac-
quainted only with the Spanish Ian
guage he can speak and write English.
having resided in the United states.
He was at one time a popular idol In
his native island, but IL is charged by
his enemies that i'm his old age he has
turned out very erratic and inconsist-
ent having formerly advocated annex
alton to the United States, and this
last year coming out with "A manifesto
against the Americans and calling upon
the Cubans 10 declare for liberty or rev
olution. Some impatience may have
been nars<ral among the old patriots at
the necessarily slow process of recon
struction, for not all OF them have ex-
erciscd the restraint so finely displayed
by Gomez.
The Federal Republicans are said to
be in the majority i'm the constitutional
convention. and the "soreheads' are
pressing the marquis claims Indirectly
by attempting 10 declare General Go
mez ineligible. Still. if this were to
eyentpate, IL would not necessarily fol-
low that Betancourt would secure the
coveted nomination. But the partisans
of General Gomez declare that IL they
are compelled 10 withdraw his name by
any such intrigue among his enemies.
they will throw all their strength TO an
other man, who is the personal prefer
ence of the old soldier.
This man is General Bartolome Mas
so. native of historic Bayamo and the
last president or civic chief of the rev
olution He was the man selected by
Marti TO raise the cry OF revolt and
conduct the movement in 1896 until Co
meg and the Maceos, Roloff and others
could arrive with re-enforcements and
assume command Masso was likewise
Marti's choice for the presidency after
ward bestowed upon the Marquis OF
Santa Lucia at Camaguey.
After the capture of Santiago, when
American troops were ready 10 assume
control of eastern Cuba, Masso modest
ly declined all civic appointments ten
dered him, retiring to his estates in the
vicinity OF ManZanilla. where he has
since devoted his energies 20 the culture
OF susar cane. coffee and cacao. A
year ago. when General Wood succeed
ed General Brooke as governor general
here ne Invited Masso TO assist him in
forming a new cabinet; but while rem
dering the new executive of the govern
rnent of intervention the aid required,
General Masso would accept no posi-
tion for himself With Gnmez out OF
the race. Masso would be decidedly the
strongest candidate the patriotic Con-
servative element could put forward.
and as against the marquis he might
win easily by a two-thirds vote in the
general assembly, should that be re-
ouired 10 elcct Another combination
ron the anu-Gomez side would be the
INifing of the Nacionales. or Nationals
and the Federales Republicancs, or
Federal Republicans, under standard
horne by Domingo Mendez Capote, IN
| stead of Cisneros Betancourt
AS vice presidential possibilities Cen
eral Alexander Rodriguez, now mayor
, of Havana Castillo Duany OF Santiago
and scores of others are mentioned. In
fsct. the man who is not mentioned ell
ther as presidential or vice presiden-
tial candidate about this time is consd-
cred almost OF no account. The presi-
Dental bee is buzzing i'm the ears OF not
a few. and many Cubans have been
stung almost II not quite TO madness.
IL may be noticed that all the promi-
nent men mentioned as possible candi-
dates are advanced In years Gall except
Mendez Capote. who is only 42), for
Magso Is g.. General Gomez II and
the Marquis Of Santa Lucia -. But age
does not count In this country of per-
petuaI youth, where, " man Keeps So
ber and lives ahstemiously. he may at
tain 20 almost any age he desires to
reach. TRUMAN l.. ELTON.
IIaHano Cuba