The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-18
PROTECTORATE FOR CUBA.
MOVEMENT IN ITS FAVOR NAY
REGTN VENT WEEk.
Gen. Rivera Not Hopeful OF Forming . New
Party "a Take the Place OF The Mod
erates-NO Intim ,tiOD From Gov.
MagOOn That Affairs Are Going Badly
.speelal Gable psspotlh % TIE srN

Special Gable Despatch 10 THE Sun.
HAVANA, Nov. l7.-While presumably
well informed persons either deny knowl-
edge of a p~rotectorate movement OF say
they do not attach any Importance TO re-
'ports of such a scheme, others assert that
such a movement may come to light next
week. The secrecy maintained by those
who ought to be acquainted with the facts,
il due to a fear that the radical element,
in view Of the apparent wish Of the Wash
ington authorities to turn the Government
over to the Cubans under former condi-
lions, will claim 10 be in favor ~ a pToteCto-
rate and if they can get enough adherents
secretly will form a strong party which
will declare openly for such a programme.
Gen. Rivera, who has been working on
the programme for a new party 10 replace
the Moderatee, announced to-day that he
considers it wiser to await more propitious
circumstances before launching the new
organization. He says the minds Of the
people at present are in such a state Of
doubt, suspicion and unrest. with many
opposing aspirations, that il would b. prac-
tically impossible TO organize political COL
lectivity even among those who appear
TO share the same opinions. Only a few
days ago Gen. Rivera expressed himself
as extremely hopeful for his new party.
II is stated on good authority that Gen.
Rivera's reasons for postponing the or
ganization Of a new party is principally be-
cause of the fear expressed by the conserva-
tive classes Of the conduct of the revolt
tionary element and the fact that the
American Government is apparently com
mitted to the policy of delivering the island
..,,- q, Tho Cuban Tho nnnyaunaDf bn n
ever. may be started again later OIL if the
conditions are regarded as favorable.
Liberal opinion on the withdrawal Of
Gen. Rius Rivera from his task seems to be
that he could not obtain the support he
anticipated, not because Of fear, but on
account Of the disinclination Of persons
to SUPPORT a movement which was identi-
fed with the old Moderates. though under
u different name.
WASHINGTON. Nov. tI-Reports that the
condition of affai in Cuba is unsatisfactory
are not confirmed at the War Department,
under which the administ ration Of Cuban
affairs is conducted through Provisional
Governor Magoon. In spite Of he fact
that Secretary Taft has been absent from
Washington for three weeks and returned
here only to-day. he has kept in close
touch with Gov. Magoon, and the Governor
has not communicated 10 him any intima-
ton that Affairs were not progressing as
satisfactorily as could be expected under
the circumstances. In fact. 10 may he said
that Gov. Magoon has expressed no uneasi-
ness regarding the present situation nor
any expectation Of future trouble. and
Secretary Taft regards him as being fully
as we'll informed on conditions as any one
in the island.
Regarding The elections, over which there
has been much clarnOr, there is little or no
prospect that they will be held before next
June, the delay being for good and sufficient
reasons, which were thoroughly explained
TO the Cubans by Secretary Taft before he
left the island and turned the management
Of things over TO Gov. Magoon.
In the first place. Secretary Taft in
formed the Cubans that an order for the
general elections could not issue until
the island was in a condition Of tranquility
they would be- conducted with perfect
fairness and honesty. All tho leading
Cubans OF al parties appreciated thu force
Of this declaration. Secretary Taft then
suggested thar conditions might shape
themselves 20 that tho elections could be
held some time in January of the coming
year. To this the CIbsns them +elves--that
is. those interested in large plantations, and
in fact others who have az heart the induS-
trial welfare u the island raised objections
on tho ground that cutting season for the
sugar crop would begin shortly after the
FIRST OF the year and would continue for
four months.
II was generally agreed that il would be
i'll advised to attempt to conduct a campaign
for n general election when the industrial
activity of the island Is az It's height. II
would tend TO cause an unsettled condition
o. affairs. and the leading men Of the island
decided that it would be better 10 promote
industry than TO upset the country with d
political agitation. This was the general