The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-21
FACT AND FICTION ABOUT CUBAN
Politics.


posseased by a considerable number OF
Americans, vet fow there 10 among US who
have anv knowledge whatever OF the poll
tics OF our island neighbor. Il Is a general
misfortune that there are many who think
they know all about them. Ihousahds OF
our citizens have visited the island and
having breathed It's air, have returned
with a conviction that they have also ab-
sorbed a competent knowledge OF lts poll
tics. Many who would be sorely puzzled
over many issues In the politics OF thelr
own land believe that by some mysterious
intuition they have become experts IN the
political affairs OF our neighbor' lhls
leads 10 unfortunate results. The interests
Of the United States and Cuba are closely
linked. Misconception in regard TO IN
sular conditions can only be followed by
clouds in an atmosphere which should De
clear. The Cuban campaign threatens 70
present features which will tend 10 separate
the two countries rather than to draw them
together.
A few days ago an American journal OF
standing and repute published an arucle'
Of more than a column in length, presum-
ably for the purpose Of furnishing iniorma-
ton In regard TO the situation In Cuba.
It was permeated with gross inaccuracies
An initial declaration was that "a great
party, with fair prospects Of success, has
accomplished something like organization
out Of various elements. Its energies are
directed against Americans and Ameri-
oanism.' The writer Of this assertion
would have quite as much difficulty in
proving its accuracy as he would have in
proving the truth Of his later statement
regarding the transfer Of sugar estates from
Cuban ownership to the hands OF 'moneyed
men from the States
'Cuba for the Cubans' Is not a cry TO
which Americans should take any eNcep-
ton. It may be pro-Cuban, but that term
is not a synonym for anti-American. For
years there have been, and for years there
will be, Cubans TO whom the idea Of annexa-
ton to the United States Is az Objectionable
as a similar idea Is TO our neighbors on the
north. In neither case does it signify a
national enmity TO the United States, or
even anti-Americanism. The American
who has gone TO Cuba and found hatred or
dislike 10 Americans and Americanism has
merely encountered an individual express
sion which very probably had its root in
some reasonable cause Of ohersa,
A competent investigation would have
shown the general falsity Of any assertion
Of national anti-Americanism, just as
competent analysis would have shown
that out OF ia sugar estates In operation
last year si1ty-eight were owned by Cubans,
five by Cubans and Spaniards in partner
ship, two by Cubans and Americans in
partnership and twenty-five by Ameri-
cans. OF the entire sugar output Of the
island last season only 1877 per cent.
came from plantations which have been
purchased by moneyed men from the
States Out Of the twenty-five reported as
Of American ownership more than half are
owned by native Cubans who have become
Americans by naturalization, and some Of
the remainder have been the property Of
Americans for many years,
For the reason that the commentator
Immediately under consideration may be
taken as typical attention may be given
70 another Of his errors. That deals with
political conditions in their party aspect.
He refers 20 Cuba's political parties as the
Radicals and the Conservatives. Cuban
parties designate themselves as Liberals
and Moderates. The Iibe, as are the sue
oessors Of the former Nationals, and the
Moderates are the SUCCESSORS Of the Repub-
licans. SundIy feeble attempts have been
made during the last FIVE years TO organize
a so-called Conservative party, but the
organization has had little place in Cuban
Affairs The line Of difference in tho al
legged aims and purposes Of Moderates and
Liberals is exceedingly vague. Cuba is
addicted TO party organization rather for
the purpose Of forming a group at the
head Of which some particular leader may
stand, than with the desire TO emphasize
some special policy.
Many have become dissatisfied with the
administration Of President Palma. For
two and half years he avoided any party
afiliation. During the latter part Of Janu-
airy Of this year he announced his definite
connection with the Moderate party. The
step was political and was taken with a
view 10 reelection. This led to the reslgnA-
ton OF his Cabinet and to a split In the
party. A strong faction declared its faith
in jose Miguel Gomez Of Santa Clara,
whom our misinformed commentator calls
"a leader OF Radicals He Is really the
candidate Of boiling Moderates and Is likely
to give Senior Palma a very hard run. The
Liberal candidate is not yet openly In the
field. Unless there shall come, as is posi-
BILE. a coalition OF Liberals and the jose
Nigel Gomez ModeIa.es, Liberal support
viii probably be given to Gen. Emilio Nuhsz,
who would have the approval OF Gen.
Maxine Gomez, a weighty consideration,
A very pretty little filtration IL going on
between jose Miguel and the Liberals, and
they may yet get together. In that case
the influence Of Gen. Maxine would 20 TO
him. The old military leader Is now at
odds with his former friend, Senior Palma,
to whom he gave loyal support in the cleo
ton Of 1901.
On party lines the Cuban Congress Is
now opposed to President Palma. The
recently elected President Of the Senate,
Sehor Manuel Sanguilly, is an Independent,
which merely means that he Is neither a
Liberal nor a Moderate. Tho Vice-Presi-
dent Of that body is Alfredo Zayas, a Lib
eral. The Senate stands with nine Moder-
ates, thirteen Liberals and Senior SanguIly.
Tho Speaker Of the House IL a jose Miguel
Gomez Moderate, and the body consists
at present Of thirty-two Liberals, twenty
four Moderates and FIVE Independents.
y tvro sA.r,1, 49,. -, L..