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

independence he was engaged In securing
supplies of arms and ammunition and rails
occupies a seat in the Cuban senate from
the city of Havana; he was ono of the
leaders of the recent Instruction, and rep
resented the liberal party in their dealings
Gomez the leadership Of his party and is
now making an active canvass for the
presidential nomination
The Moderates.
The moderate party in Cuba is composed
OF the conservative business element
bankers, merchants, manufacturers, plant
ers and other men Of property and capital
1t may be compared in many respects with
the republican party in the United States.
Very few Of its leaders or members were
actually engaged in war of Independence
During Spanish times they were opposed
to independence and advocated an, au-
tonomous government similar to that of
Canada with captain general appointed
by the Spanish king and the remaining Of
fcials elected by the Cubans. They now ad-
vocate closer relations with the United
lar to that of England in Egypt They
have the sympathy Of the foreign element
Of all nationalities, and the support of
95 per cent Of the property owners in the
island, which Is of great value from a moral
or sentimental point but does not count
at the polls.
When President Palma abandoned his
non-partisan attitude he joined the mod
crate party and depended upon 1t to sup
port his administration in congress. When
he came up for reelection realizing that
they were very largely in the minority, the
managers stuffed the ballot boxes in an
awkward. clumsy manner. They gave
themselves more votes than there are voters
in Cuba and made the situation ridiculous.
The consequences of their frauds commit
ted at that election were the revolution
nd HI 10 c,yrn
office, and the complete collapse of the
moderate party. An attempt is now being
made to reorganize it, but thus far with
comparatively little success A large nor
tlon OF the moderate partv have announc-
ed their withdrawal from politics, which is
wise policy because the liberals are sure
to divide. and that will soon give them a
chance to combine with either the Zayas
or the Gomez faction and dictate terms
The liberals are sure to split and q wise
moderate will play a waiting game.
Moderates Disheartened.
The moderates are very much disheart-
ened and disguised with the behavior of
Governor Magoon and his impartiality to-
ward the liberals Magoon has tried to en-
courage them to reorganize on the theory
that in a multitude of parties there is
safety. And. naturally, their platform, ad :
vocating a protectorate by the United
States, Is preferable to that of the liberals
WIllCH QcIIidiiuS COIupietc independence but
there are no signs of activity In the mod
crate ranks. Generally speaking. they are
sulking in their tents. Some of the mod
crates threaten that they will start a revo-
luton before the American troops leave
the harbor of Havana, but that is idle talk
In the first place they are not revolution
lists; they have too much at stake. They
are not men of arms; they are men of
commerce and industry. They have never
acquired the insurrection habit like the lib
erals. Some of their rich men might put
up money and hire discontinued liberals to
get up q revolution. but such a scheme
would be attended with great peril to them
selves.
There is no moderate candidate for the
presidency. The party Is too demoralized
to agree on anybody.
Nationals and Independents.
The national party stands midway be-
tween the liberals ana the moderates. and
Is composed very generally of deserters
from both. of liberals who do not approve
OF the radical men and measures of that
party. and of moderates who are not SC
conservative as the majority of that party.
The leader Of the nationals Is DIR. Emilio
Nuncz formerly Philadelphia physician,
and now governor Of the state of Havana.
He Is a very able man, thorough AIncri-
can and a skillful politician He and hts as
sociates have recently formed an alliance
with several of the former leaders Of the