Evening star., 1901-08-09
PALMA DISCUSSES PRESIDENCY.
Fears Factions I'm Cuba Will Handicap
the Executives.

A disoatch from Havana last night says:
Senior Tomas Estrada Palma, in the course
of a long letter to Senor Figueredo, which
Is published here TO-DAY, makes the follow
ing statement;
Il told General Gomez that a man like
myself, of independent character and with
out pretensons except for the moral good
of the country, would not have courage
enough to be a candidate for the presi-
dency of Cuba because the state of feel
ing and opinion IN the island is disjoint-
ed, and because political parties there are
based upon local affinities and personal is
sues, and not upon principles.
Moreover, it Is to be supposed that the
future president will have to plan the
government, and If he is to carry his
program into effect he will need the sup
port of both houses of the legislature.
But the state of opinion in both houses
is likely TO be more disjointed even than
the opinions of the so-called political par
ties. As important matters will have to
be dealt with by the first government of
Cuba. such as treaties, the relations with
the United States, and the payment of the
army, there is likely to be a great deal of
trouble and disagreement. If the presi-
dent does not have Congress behind him
he will fail utterly.
Then also the constitution is calculated
to prevent unity of action because the
governors of provinces are to be elected
by popular vote, and the secretaries will
be responsible as well as the president.
If, therefore, the president does not
count upon majority in both houses, 1t
is not likely that any honest patriot will
care TO undertake the presidential office
Self-abnegation and the most devoted pa
triotism cannot be expected to make him
abandon his own dignity"
Senor Palma says that steps should be
taken to unity effort and opinion in Cuba
and TO obtain basis of agreement as to
presidential candidate, so that. II elected
he may have some chance Of successful
administration.
Holders of Havana second mortgage
bonds to the value of 100000 desire to
take possession OF some portions of the
city income and TO pay the bonds which
had been drawn for payment, after tudg-
ment was ordered, prior to January l. 1899
Such an attempt had not been made here
tofore because military order existed un-
der the terms of which persons having
claims against municipalities which ma
tured prior TO January 1, 1899. were not
permitted to enforce payment.
That order was annulled by a recent or
der, and now the bondholders wish either
TO seize the city property or to collect the
income.
Mayor Gener SAYS the municipality at
present has no funds with which to pay
these bonds
Cuban artillery corps Is to be formed
II will consist of 100 white Cubans and
Will be recruited under the same condi-
tions as TO qualification that obtain in the
United States, so far as these will apply
The corps will be trained and disciplined
by an American officer, and will be sta
toned at Cabanas The men will be taught
to handle and take care Of artillery and
will be qualified to take charge of the
guns there when the Americans leave
They will be enlisted for two years
First Lieut.. Dwight z. Aultman of the
I'd United States Artillery will have charge
OF the recruiting tnd training.