The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-16

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 is
o veteran of the war, having resigned
his title and property to become an in
surgent, and was elected the first presi-
dent of the Cuban republic in 1885
Unlike General Gomez, who is 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 it is charged by.
his enemies that in his old age he has
turned out Very erratic and ilcohsist-
ent, having formerly advocated annex
alton to the United States, and this
last year coming out with manifesto
against the Americans and calling upon
the Cubans to declare for liberty or rev
olution. Some Impotence may have
been natural among the old patriots at
the necessarily slow process of recon-
struction for not all OF them have ex-i
ercised the restraint so finely displayed
by Gomez.
The Federal Republicans are said to
be in the majority in the constitutional
convention. and the .ssoreheads'' are
pressing the marquis claims Indirectly
by Attempting to declare General Go
mez ineligible. Still. if this were to
eventuate, it would not necessarily fol-
| low that Betancourt would secure the
+, coveted nomination. But the partisans
of General Gomez declare that if they
are compelled to withdraw his name by
any such intrigue among his enemies
they win 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, a 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 1895 until Co
mez 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 to assume
control of eastern Cuba, Masso modest
ly declined all civic appointments ten
dered him. retiring to his estates in the
vicinity of ManzaniIla, where he has
since devoted his energies to the culture
of sugar cane, coffee and cacao-
year ago, when General Wood succeed
ed General Brooke as governor general
here. he invited Masso to assist him in
forming a new cabinet; but while rem
dering the new executive of the govern
ment of intervention the aid required,
General Masso would accept no posi-
ton for himself. With Gomez 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 to elect. Another combination
on the anti-Gonez side would be the
uniting of the Naciona1es. or Nationals,
and the Federales Republicancs, or
Federal Republicans, under standard
horne nv 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
fact the man who is not mentioned Ell
Their as presidential or vice presiden-
tial candidate about this time IS consld-
cred almost of no account The presi-
Dental bee is buzzing in the ears OF not
A few. and many Cubans have been
stung almost if not quite to madness
It may be noticed that all the promi-
nent men mentioned as possible candl-
dates are advanced in years (all except
Mendez Capote, who is only 42), for
Masso is 81, General Gomez II and
the MARQUIS of Santa Lucia "A. But age
does not count in this country of per-
petuaI youth, where, if a man keeps So
Der and lives abstemiously. he may at
tain to almost any age he desires to
reach TRUMAN L. ELION'
Havana, Cuba