Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-18
The Cuban Congress.

IN the north
The Cuban Congress.
While the tendencies to party alignment
are becoming more clear, their only def
mite expression is to be found in the Cuban
congress. Months ago it was thought that
the senate would be the radical body, and
the camara. or house of representatives
the conservative balance. The contrary has
happened. The senate upholds the admin
lstratlon. The house, while not actually
against it. balks at times and gives vent to
radical and hostile opinions In this there
is some figuring for position.
When the congress organized In May last
II was thought that the nationals, or the
military party, had the majority, but they
were out-maneuvered, and by a combina-
ton the republicans got control Of the Or
ganization and took most of the patronage
to themselves. During the summer SEES
sions faction of radicals composed Of
sessions faction of radicals, composed of
eight representatives, KEEP; both the lead
Ing parties In uncertainty to which had
the majority. This faction followed the
lead of Juan Gualberto Gomez. the ablest
leader OF the negro race In Cuba. 1t was
curious circumstance. however, that
neither In the house nor in the senate were
the members Of his own race with him.
During the recent recess the radical group
split, and thereby lost much Of its power
Part OF 1t went with the republicans who
now control the committees of the house.
and who expect to establish themselves
firmly as the majority. This condition Is
spoken of favorably, even by those who are
OF the other faction. because 1t may help to
gain the parliamentary discipline which Is
needed 1t has not been an easy matter to
get the congressman to sink their individ-
uality In the name of a party.
Steering Committee Repudiated
Last summer of them who had In
iuence was telling me how his group finally
had become united. and informally had
agreed on a steering committee Of three
members, whose guidance was to be fol-
lowed. few days later, unexpectedly, an
issue arose about which there had been no
chance for an interchange of opinions. The
steering committee only had time to agree
with itself. But 1t found 1t stood alone.
The rest Of the group did not happen to
SympathiZe with the position which it's own
designated leaders took, and instead of ac-
cepting discipline it disciplined them. There
Is more unity Of purpose now, but parties
in the Cuban congress are still far from
being welded together as they are in the
American congress or the state legislatures.
Support the President.
On some general points both the nationals
and the republicans agree. They are with
President Palma in his economic policy for
developing agriculture and for fomenting
public works. There is not much room for
differing on this subject That is one rea-
son why in the end not much difference will
be shown on the question Of reciprocity
with the United States. though during the
early stages Of the discussion opposition
will be shown. But 1t is to encour-
age Cuban agriculture II the market Is
wanting for Cuban products. and that Is
the real argument for reciprocity.
AS to the payment OF the army, both par
ties favor the bond ISSUE Whichever party
sought to oppose 1t would be only a men,
Dry after little time. While there Is RI
valry and competition for the goodwill Of
kI1 to- otrov f0r
Ing the army, at bottom both are conserva-
tive, for they know that a Cuban loan can
be floated only If the amount is kept down.
Variance in views as to the sources OF tax
alton which shall be provided for the sink
ing fund and interest on the loan are not
likely to be due to political bias.
Plat Amendment Opposed.
In it's broadcast sense the growing line
which is to distinguish Cuban political par
ties as conservative and radical may have
something In 1t Of opposition to the Plat
amendment At least the radicals say that
is their tendency, and they may let this
tendency carry them on until the Cuban
people bring them up with sharp turn.
They talk rather vaguely of revising the
Cuban constitution SO as to leave off the
appendix with its acceptance OF the Platt
amendment. One Of them told me, he
thought that they would persuade the
United States not to insist on it. thought
differently but sought to learn what his
grounds were. They were simply that with
Cuba enjoying full International relations
her status as world power should be left
unimpaired by naval or coalfng stations
for the United States.
The sanitation of the island, the arrange
ment of the public debt and other matters
contained in the Plat amendment, he
thought, would be settled so easily that the
United States would see there never had
been the need of making that condition
to turning over the government. With the
probability that the lease of naval and
coaling stations will be before the Cuban
congress the coming year. again asked u /
ously talking about ignoring the Platt
amendment as to naval stations. We'll
was the reply, you'll and a good deal IN I
nsad