New-York tribune., 1906-12-04
CUBA PACIFICA.
Continued from drst page.

Of the elections for perhaps six or seven months
The laws OF Cuba must undergo some revision,
especially the laws relating to elections. to
municipal government and to the civil service
and judiciary. These laws need TO be so re-
formed to make It impossible for any future
government with any shadow OF a pretext Of
Legality to repeat the disastrous performances
OF the last year Of the Palma administration
After that is done it ought to be possible to hold
election and TO let the Cubans resume the
government Of their island.
The probability is that the election will not be
held until July next. The cane cutting season
ends in June, and it is not desirable to have an
election while IL is in progress Liberal leaders
quite willing TO wait until then for the cleo
tIOn though they might prefer to have it at an
earlier date. AS for the Moderates, they ap-
parently want to postpone it as far as possible
They contend that to hold it before July would
be disastrous. and there is ground for fear that
some Of them may try at that time TO convince
the United States that not even then is the ISL
and sufficiently pacified- The fact is. the Mod
crates are "sparring for time" Their party is
badly demoraIzed and IS in no condition to en-
ter campaign against the excellent organiza-
ton Of the Liberals. They think that In a
years time they might pull their party together
and win an election. and so they want to post
pone the date of the election long IS possible.
1t is not TO be supposed that this Consideration
Will have convincing weight with Governor Ma
COON He viii probably order election at the
time which he thinks best and that Will be when
he has completed the necessary revision OF the
laws and feels assured that the election Will re-
suit In the establishment OF q government ade-
Quate for the protection OF life. property and
Individual liberty, and for dlscharging the obli-
cations Of q civilized state.
or1 hOyT rfT1n nT1fS nf he rartO m
parties concerning the future Of Cuba The
Liberals believe the island is capable Of free
self-government, and want it's autonomy re-
stored. The Moderates are divided in opinion
Some incline toward independence while some
prefer a permanent American protectorate to
the chance Of Liberal ascendency. though just
what they mean by prOtectorate they are not
able to explain. There IS q third party, of In
dependents, who somewhat affiliated with
the Moderates but who take little or no part IN
politics Their lack Of cooperation with the
Moderates IS what gives the Liberals their best
assurance Of victory; for If the Independents
and Moderates united and worked together as
conservative party they would probably control
the island by strong majority. There is
fourth factor in the situation OF great i'm
portance II is composed OF the merchants and
the men heavily interested IN railroads and to-
bacco and sugar plantations. These are nearly
all spanIards, Americans. Englishmen and
Europeans, and are not citizens OF Cuba They
ara nearly all In favor OF annexation to the
United States, or at least OF q permanent Amer
lean protectorate and in that they are ami
mated OF course. by a selfish though sincere
regard for their own pecuniary interests. They
have entire confidence in Governor MagoOn.
however. and are not likely 10 undertake any
opposition to the execution OF his policy.