Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-27

newspaper work. and there married white
widow with a daughter. The latter has
since married a mulatto associate Of Juan
Gualberto's. While he Is regarded as the
political apostle Of the negroes in Cuba, his
associates are chiefly white men. and he
commands their esteem and admiration be-
cause Of his remarkable ability.
Gualberto Gomez was very active during
the war for independence. and under the
military government was appointed school
inspector by Gen. Brooke. He lost the once
During the recent revolution he was arrest
ed by order of President Palma. with four
other insurgent liberal leaders, and 1mprfs-
oned until the arrival Of Secretary TAFT
Gov Magoon appointed him member or
the legislative commission, which pays MIN
a salary Of 500 a month. He is candidate
for a seat in the Cuban senate.
Rival Presidential Candidates.
The liberal party has two rival leaders
and two candidates for the presidency
Jose Miguel Gomez and Alfredo Zayas
Gomez Is the old leader of the party and Its
candidate for president at the last election.
He is the Bryan Of Cuba. He was undouot-
eddy elected. and was cheated out OF the
office by the moderates. but left the island
and went to the United States at crtical
time, which permitted Zayas, who had been
the second man in the liberal party ana its
candidate for vice president to take the
head Of the procession. The two men are
rivals for the
lose Miguel Gomez is no relation to Maxi
mo Gomez the commander or the lnsur-
gent forces during the war TOT lnoepeno-
ence He comes from the province OF san
"a Spirftu is a ranchman by trade and the
SON of q ranchman. He has been In the
cattle business all his life, except Wnen
he has been busy carrying on revolutions
against the government ne mas compa ara
ity great force Of character and qualities
for leadership He has been in three wars
and wears the stars of major genera.
conferred upon himself by himself in token
| of his supreme authority In the liberal
party and his rank as commander-in-chief
| In the last revolution, although he saw no
lighting He o was va the beinn
| by other liberal leaders after his defeat
| for the presidency. and upon his return
| was arrested and sent to prison as con-
| sptrator Secretary Taft ordered his re-
| lease, and since then he has been trying
| to reorganize his admirers with view
| to securing another nomination for pres
! ident. During the war FOR independence
| he fought under Garcia. but abandoned him
| twice because Of dissatisfaction or jealousy
| and returned to his home. He was accused
| of temporizing with the Spaniards, but
| the charge was never proven. For three
/ or four years prior to the recent presden-
| tial election he was superintendent of the
sugar estates of Cebellos & Co. of New
| York and Silvera. their agent in Havana.
who recently failed for several millions Of
| dollars and dragged them down with him.
| Gomez is said to have been a silent part
ner of Silvera in the cattle business, and
| has recently made visit to Venezuela,
! where Silvera fed to escape arrest and
prosecution.
Gomez was a member of the moderate
party until he had quarrel with Pres
ident Palma about two years ago. when he
went over to the liberals, and they made
| him their candidate for president because
he was the political boss of the state of
Santa Clara. He is very strong with the
negro element.
Controls the Havana Machine.
Alfredo Zayas is the rival of Gomez for
the leadership of the liberal party, and
recently its candidate for vice president
He now aspires to the first place and con-
trolls the central committee of the liberal
organization and the Havana machine He
Is also strong in other cities of the island
while Gomez depends upon the country
vote. Zayas Is Havana lawyer, born
raised and educated In this city, gradu-
ate Of the university and well connected
He has a large practice. and Is noted for
his shrewdness and fertility Of resource.
People here who are familiar with our
political history compare him with the late
Senator Quay. He has never done any
military service. but has been an agitator
for independence all his lffe has spent sew
era1 years tn Spanish dungeons and was
once sent to Ceuta. the Spanish prison In
Africa, for treason. During the war Of