The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-30
CIRAN POLITICS.

WARRINGTON. Jan. 2B.--Cuba n approdcn-
ing n Presidential campaign, and the shad-
ows of that coming event are already being
cast over the land Taken as whole, the
administration Of Tomas Estrada Palma
has been eminently successful Peace ana
order have prevailed, and in many ways the
affairs of the island show a notable and most
commendable progress
Although 1t was supposed in 1902 that
because OF his age and for other reasons,
Sefl1r Palma's inoumbency would be linn
tied 10 single term, II rs now apparent that
he is ambitious to succeed himself in tho
Presidential Office. Whether he will be
able 20 do so is quite another matter. Az
the time Of his earlier election he had only
a very limited opposition, and even that
was withdrawn Immediately before the
election IL might also be said that at that
time he had no enemies To-day, he mas
number of rivals for the place, ana GER
tain Of his acts have made him enemiee, some
powerful and some bitter,
Senor Palma has neither the qualities OF
a Diaz nor those OF Castro. He is man
of honest purposes of genuine deeire 10 do
that which seems right. and he has shown
at times notably in the case Of the lottery
bill stubborn adhesion to his personal
views which some have mistaken for a
broad minded craftsmanship During the
recent months his grasp on affairs has evil
IDENTIFY been loosenod. This in due in part
TO strong pressure, both political and per
sonal, which has been brought to bear on
him. His course of late has shown weak
ness. vacillation and tendency toward
oppottunism which was not apparent during
the first year and half or two years OF his
incumbenoy.
For time he was disposed TO favor the
Moderate party. and showed a marked
favor TO that group while displaying some
thing Of the cold shoulder to the Liberals
and Radicals This naturally lost a con-
siderable degree of support from the latter
element A prominent Moderate then de-
veloped Presidential aspirations, and
split followed, leaving Senior Palma some
what in the air. The Liberals. among
whom Gen. Maxine Gomez Ia n foroeful
influence, have retaliated, and their support,
for the present at least. has been with
drawn, although they have not as yet fixed
upon any particular man as their choice
for political leadership. Although they
are divided just now. the leader OF the Mod
crate party is Jose Miguel Gomez, the pres
ent Governor Of the Province OF Santa
Clara. He is a man OF quiet habits for
Cuban politician, but has shown q marked
degree of force and ability.
The weak point in Sehor Palma's policy has
appeared most distinctly in the matter Of
the national loan and the pay Of the army.
He knew well the right and the wrong OF 1t
all, and had he displayed the same moral
strength as that which he showed in the
case OF the lottery bill and in one or two
other instances, he would have held his
friends and controlled his enemies In
seeking to placate the latter he has offended
the former 1t is possible, though perhaps
doubtful, that he might even now redeem
his position by a strong stand for that which
he knows 10 be Wise and right.
Cuban politics just now consists largely
In individual mar9uvring for position,
Election day is eleven months away, but
nominating conventions arc probably not
six months away. Opening guns may be
heard at almost any time. and each passing
month will emphasize the activities Of the
campaign
Such is the Cuban situation as 1t appears
to observers in Washington.