The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-11

for President. He ~ a natural leader and
Sghter. Before the revolution Of '0S he
was engaged In cattle raising In the interior
Of the Island. In the American occupation
he held the place Of Civil Governor In the
provinces Of Santa Clara and was held In
high esteem by Major-Gen. Wilson, who
was Military Governor Of that district.
Under the first Cuban Presidency Gomez
held this same ofice in Santa Clara until,
like other Liberal chiefs, he was elected
from ONCE by the machine presided over
by, the remorseleas Andrade, who was a
member Of the constitutional convention.
Gomez IL a man OF limited education
but the possessor OF a forceful personality
and great native ~shrewdness. As Cuban poll
ticians 90 he is honest and gives evidence OF
rising as nearly to the level Of true patri-
otism "a any politician in the island. After
his defeat for President he was placed
under great pressure by his associates to
head a revolutionary force. But he refused
point blank to submit the justice OF his
cause to trial by arms. He was then placed
in charge Of a new sugar plantation, where
he remained several months, only to be re-
moved, it Ia said, at the instance Of the
Government, on the ground that there
was danger Of his organizing his employees
as a revolutionary force. He was no doubt
thoroughly cognizant OF the movement
that eliminated last August in the insur-
gent uprising, though his refusal to head
the uprising before had put him in dis
favor with his former adherents. Evidently
the Palma crowd thought him dangerous,
for last August he was arrested and thrown
in prison. where he stayed until released by
the amnesty order issued by Secretary
Taft.
ZAYAs A GREAT
Alfredo Zayas is a strong contrast, in
many ways to Gomez. He, like Capote
on the other side, has never been a fighter.
He was the first secretary Of the constitu-
tional convention and is generally regarded
as the ablest political organizer in the
island. During the proceedings OF the
American commission he has shown marked
ability as a politician. He was the candidate
for the Vice-Presidency on the Liberal
ticket.
His enemies are not slow to make ac-
cusations OF graft on a large scale against
him, but he has many friends among the
respectable and retiring element that should
rule Cuba but never has. At all events,
he has a quality sufficiently rare among
the men who have dominated the history
of the Cuban republic. He bears himself
with dignity and lives simply and quietly.
UER U
Gen. Pine Guerra has been probably the
most picturesque figure on the Liberal
side in the scramble for Cuban plums. He
may fairly be called a new man in Cuban
public affairs. lie has previously been
little known in public life, but he served
in the revolution of 1895 in the humble
capacity flor Cubansl of Colonel. After
it was over he returned to his home in the
eastern district of Pinar del Rio and re-
sumed his plantation life.
In the present uprising his has been the
dominating spirit in that part Of the island.
He is extremely popular with all the people
Of that region. among whom he was born
and brought up. There he is known Of all
and il regarded as a rare good fellow. When
he appears, it ia "Pino" on every side. By
old and young he il regarded as a good sort.
OF statesmanlike qualities he has none, but
such was his popularity that he was elected
to the Congress almost unanimously.
II will be observed that so far a. the
records of their leaders go the Liberals have
the better Of it. But it must be remem-
bered that they have Of late had few fingers
IN the pie. Unfortunately, their known
achievement do not justify any great con-
fdence in their intentions,