Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-06


his associates, Ramon Silva and Enrique
Viluendas, is a fine example of Latin fu--
ency. 1t is very long and is the product of
the facie pen of Gualberto Gomez. AS a
literary document it is quite clever. The
report laws the foundation for full dis
cussion by taking the Teller resolution, the
treaty of Paris and the Plat amendment,
which it says are to be construed together.
These it analyses clause by clause, ex-
pressing the hope of final agreement be-
cause peace is the supreme aspiration OF
the people of Cuba.
The Gomez report accepts the proposition
for joint agreement regarding hygiene
or sanitation. 1t also agrees with some of
the other articles in the Platt amendment,
but insists that these are sufficiently pro-
vfded for in the constitution which the con-
vention has framed.
The chief objection made is to the spe-
cific recognition OF the right of the United
States to intervene. This, it is commended,
would make Cuba dependency. 1t would
mean, the report says, that the CubanS
would only have the fiction of a govern
ment and would be equivalent to delivering
I'D the key OF their house SO that 1t could
be entered at ali hours, day or night, with
good purposes or bad purposes. and with or
without the wish Of the country.
There are many ine-spun distinctions OF
this sort placing theoretical constructions
on the language of the Piatt amendment
which were not in the mind of Congress
and which never would come into the mind
of an American administration Ihere Is
also a very subtle analysis OF the dehni-
ton of sovereignty. with quotations from
BluptschH rega riding the majesty ana the
supreme force of a nation which constitute
sovereignty as well an analysis OF the
"plenitude of public potency and the unity
of nolitical organism. This argument is
good example of Latin dialectics. 1t Is
followed by a detailed study of the mean
ing of Intervention, and the claim is made
] h. tt.1S fnfsA a
power over Cuba which is lacking to II
with reference to the sovereign states OF
the Union.
Against CoalinE stations.
The report argues against naval or coal
ing stations and declares that the popular
cry has been NO naval stations!' This
concession Gualberto Gomez declares would
be mutation of the territory of the
fatherland and a constant threat against
domestic and foreign peace, and would
| cause a deep wound TO the sentiment of the
! Cuban people. Nevertheless, he Is willing
that the Isle of Pines shall be made the
| subject of future negotiations, and hints
at a willingness to have 1t as the basis
of naval stations which on the mainland
would be such wound to the sentiment Of
the Cuban people.
The report concludes with the opinion
that the Cuban government, when In func-
ton will proceed in the plenitude of its
faculties, and in negotiation with the
United States will reach satisfactory
agreement which will leave the island really
free and vet will grant the maximum of
concessions to the United States. Then, it
says, the Cuban government Will not be
constrained by the presence OF foreign
power in the island and there VIII be no
doubts jealous suspicious in the Cuban
soul, because then it will have experienced
positive realities which now for it are
longing anxieties and infinite hope, yet tor
menting and unquiet, of definite peace
within the liberty and independence which
only can assure it. This Gomez report
would be worth reproducing in its entirety
as an illustration of the idea which some
of the constitution makers have of avoid
ing the main question of the paramount
interest of the United States in Cuba, but
1t makes eight columns, and that is a trifie
too long to reproduce.
/ While the convention is now travelling in
a circle, there is a possibility that Cuban
politics Will start it on a straight road, be-
cause within a few weeks nominations will
be made for municipal elections all over
the island. This means an alignment of
political parties. In Cuba. as in the United
States, there are large numbers of persons
who want to serve the government. The
tendency has been quite marked for the
various municipalities to create offices in i
order that this ambition might be gratified.
yet it has been found that increasing the
number of offices does not decrease the
number of people who have to be dsap-
pointed
Rivalry for Office.
There is much rivalry for "destinos" A
'destino" is place in office. or, as it would
be called In the United States. political
job. There are also the "ceSantes.' These
are the persons who have ceased to hold
public position, that is to say. who have
lost their jobs. No political party in Cuba
advocates civil service, reform, but various
causes, chiefly inefficiency. have combined
to make good many "cesantes." These
are the soreheads, who want to get back
into office. and. as they have lost their
places under the American military au-
| thorities they are the aiati-American agi-
tators.
In Havana mayor may be chosen by the
ayuntamiento, or city council. to fill out
the unexpired term Of Alexandra Rodrf-
guez, the present mayor, who has resigned
in order to become chief of the rural guard.
He would only have three months to serve.
but whoever Is chosen would be q candi-
date at the polls, and that Is the cause OF
the present rivalry. The leading candidates
are Alfredo Zayas and DR.. Gener, both OF
whom are members OF the constitutional
convention. Zayas is also member of the
council and was the champion there Of the
Dady sewerage contract.
DIR. Gener Is secretary OF justice In Gen.
Woods cabinet. He is a man OF more than
usual force of character. as was shown
when he fought the lawyers trust known
as the Havana Bar Association and car I
ried out reforms In legal procedure which
had the approval OF Gen.. Wood. The out
come was that the Bar Association, which
L 0ccuDied off3rial Relation t0vua rd. Yho