The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-09-23
PRESIDENT PALMA
HAS NOT ALIGNED HIMELF
WITH ANY PARTY.
Says the Issues in Cuba Have Not
Been Formed and That There
is No Group in Congress with
Which He Can Align Himself
READ UP.

The Havana Post of September II gives
the following translation of an interesting
interview had by another Havana paper
with President Estrada Palma:
There do not exist here two defined
political parties: here there is not one
doctrine which separates two powerful
groups, as in the United States, for eX-
ample, where you know the essential
point is protectioniSm. | have thought
many times on this and | have not found
the reason for the maintenance of politi-
cal organizations, combating each other
with the same program, and indicating
the separation only in names and in men.
They are not going toward a distant end
nor is one radical and the other conser-
VatlVe; they are equally radical and con-
servative, both parties.
For that, united they were able to
elect me, and when Il message of mine
is considered in the houses of Congress
the Nationals are seen voting with the
Republicans, those on one side support
ing those on the other. What status
then, do they have that | should enter
a pact with any certain clement?s If
there should be an organization and align
ment of the Radicals and the Moderates
and the latter should seriously set up
their party, | should have to govern with
the Moderates. 1t is impossible for Il
man to goven with d party which cam
not have his views, because it has the
greatest strength; nor does any one wish
me to lean on those who do not think
as i do.
The party chief in the houses of
Congress. from what We may see. has d
power very relative. sometimes being able
to count on the support OF his followers
and sometimes not As to my acts, /
have often consulted with chiefs of diff
ferent parties-with Bravo Correoso and
with MendeZ Capote. for example. W ell,
they themselves do not have the Senators
of their party, the party which they di-
rect, at their side. and you will find that
in a voting two Nationals Of the Orient
have voted against two other Nationals
of the Orient. | can do nothing in these
times. except what l am doing. When
something of national interest is concern
ed, which affects the life of the republic
no absurdity is committed all elements
come to an agreement, and after dis
cussing the different points of view with
more or less heat, and at the end what
ever is necessary is agreed upon; what is
dictated by patriotism if patriotic, it mat
tiers not whether it comes from the
Nationals or the Republicans.
THE republic is newly born, its citi-
zens have had no great experience; never
theless, you may see that Congress has
not been preciptate in any resolution and
tnat it has had good aims and been just
/ cannot complain; to say any other
thing would be false.
The constitution l criticised when it
was voted. because | was not in full
accord with its spirit of federal union. But
now, once deposited in me the confidence
of the people, 1 govern-better said, /
administer in accordance with the con-
stitutlon, and | abide by ii and not the
parties. with this constitution il is
we will consolidate it. Believe me, /
have so much faith in it, that | see il
in my mind, prosperous, happy and
vigorous