Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-22
POLITICS IN THE MAKING.
Cuban Parties in Process Of EvoIu.
ton.

To search for parties in Cuba Is to
seek what it is not easy to find, says a
writer in the Boston Transcript. They
had the names year ago, Nationals,
Republicans and Union democrats.
The Union Democrats, on paper, were
the annexation party; they had no real
life and now they have no name. A
year ago there were also tendencies
which are the basis Of political organ
izatiOn. These tendencies are becom-
ing a little more clear. yet it is still
hard to draw a straight line. or even a
wavering one, and say that 1t separates
two political camps. The partisans in
the different camps cross the line too
often. Yet broadly it may be said that
the distinction between conservatism
and radicalism is becoming more
marked. Also, after six months of an
administrative government, it follows
that there is something like the gov
eminent and the opposition. The radi-
calls are the ants, but the opposition,
as always happens, is made up OF
varied and not always harmonious
parts. Some Of 1t is personal. Some
of 1t relates to tentative policies of the
administration, rather than to actual
measures.
Though the two leading groups call
themselves respectively Nationals ana
Republicans. the support of the admin
istration and the opposition to it do not
divide under these names. President
Palma recognized all factions in the
makeup of his cabinet. Though the
w. III tit,,n rn
opposition, they would take it amiss II
the cabinet members who are called
Nationals were to drop out. yet the
members of the executive family must
be for the administration of which they
are part. One day this fact VIII es-
tablish itself, and the opposition party
will be really such, and will not expect
a share in the administration which 1t
opposes.
While the tendencies to party align
ment are becoming more clear, their
only definite expression is to be found
in the Cuban Congress. Months ago II
was thought that the Senate would be
the radical body. and the House the
conservative balance. The contrary
has happened. The Senate upholds the
administration. The House, while not
actually against it, balks at times, and
gives vent to radical and hostile opin-
ions. In this there is some figuring
for position When the Congress or
ganized in May last, it was thought
that the Nationals, or the Military
party. had the majority, but they were
out-manoeuvred, and by combina-
ton the Republicans got control OF
nd tor
patronage to themselves. During the
summer sessions faction OF radicals
composed of eight representatives, kept
both the leading parties in uncertainty
as to which had the majority. rms
faction followed Juan Gualberto Gomez
the ablest leader of the negro race IN
Cuba. 1t was a curious circumstance,
however that neither in the House nor
i'm the Senate, We're 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 it 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 favOrab!y
even by those who are of the other fac-
ton. because it may help TO gain the
parliamentary discipline which is
needed. 1t has not been an easy matter
to get congressman to sink their in
dividuality in the name of party.
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.
on some general points both the Ma
tionals and the Republicans agree.
They are with President Palma in his
economic policy for developing agricul-
ture and for encouraging public works.
There is not much room for differing
on this subject. That is one reason
why, in the en- J. not much difference
will be shown on the question OF re-
ciprocity with the United States,
though during the early stages of the
discussion opposition will be shown. 1t
is Of no use to encourage Cuban agrl-
culture II the market is wanting Tor
Cuban products. and that is the real
argument for reciprocity. AS to the
payment of the army both parties IA
yor the bond issue. Whichever sought
to oppose it would be only a memory
after a little time. Yet while there is
rivalry for the good will of the vet
Grams at bottom both parties are con-
servative. for each knows that Gu
ban loan can be fioated only if the
amount is kept down. Variance as to
the sources of taxation which shall be
provided for the loan sinking fund and
interest is not likely to be due to poll
teal bias.
In it's broadcast sense the growing line
which is to distinguish Cuban political
parties as conservative and radical may
have something in it 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 a sharp turn. They talk rather
vaguely of revising the Cuban consti-
tution so as to leave off the appendix
with its acceptance of the Platt
amen.l.nen One of them said he
thought that they would persuade the
United States not to insist on it. His
grounds We're simply that with Cuba
enjoying full international relations
her status as a world Power should be
left unimpaired by naval or coaling
stations for the United States. SAM
tatiOn. finances and other matters con-
tanned in the Platt amendment he