The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-11-27
CONDITIONS IN CUBA,
MAGOON IN DOUBT ABOUT TIME
OF ELECTION.
Four Parties are All at Odds-Timc
Has Not Healed Partisan Bitterness
and the Island Is Puzzling Ameri-
can Officials.

Washington. Nov. 19.-Coincident
with the receipt Of news from Ha-
vana OF the completion Of the Cuban
census has arisen demand from
many sources that a time be fixed at
once for the holding Of municipal and
national elections in the island. Off,
cials Of the war and state depart
ments. who have had much to do with
formulating answers to questions con-
cerning Cuba since the provisional
government was established and
American troops now stationed there
agree that the problem Is not solved
by the termination Of the census emu
meration and the tabulation Of the
returns to form electoral registration
lists. The provisional governor Is
greatly disturbed over the recommen-
dation he must make concerning the
time Of holding the elections. 1t ap-
pears that he cannot expect aid from
the various political parties, mas,
much as the leaders hold, as widely
varying Views now as they did at the
time the census was ordered.
At the present time there are four
political parties In Cuba. Two of
these are factions Of the Liberal par
ty and are Of about equal strength.
The faction headed by Jose Miguel
Gomez claims to control the political
situation and Is demanding that the
municipal and national elections be
held simultaneously not later than
February next. Gomez is popular with
the masses and especially with large
part OF those that participated in
the revolution against Palma. He is
a leader Of the Liberal party and was
the candidate for president against
Palma.
The other wing Of the Liberals Is
dominated by Alfredo Zayas, presi-
dent Of the Liberal party. and Of the
revolutionary committee. Ever since
the resignation Of President Palma,
zayas has been candidate for the
presidency. and It was the rival am.
billions OF Gomez and Zayas that
caused the split Of the Liberal party.
The recognize leader Of the Independ-
ent party IL Gen. Mario Menocal,
manager Of the Chapama sugar es-
tate. said TO be the largest in the
world. The party has not united on a
candidate, bot those most pro minent-
ly spoken OF are General Menocal.
Senator Manuel Sanguilly, OF Matan-
zas, and Senior Jose Gonzales de Que
sada. the Cuban minister to the UNI
ted States.
The fourth party Ia composed main.
iy the old Moderates or Palma party.
II includes. many prominent and able
Cubans. but AZ yet none has been
brought forward as q candidate.
All except the Gomez party are now
willing to have the elections fixed for
a year hence. and are opposed to an
election In February next. In other
words three Of the parties prefer that
the Americans shall continue the pro-
visional government rather than take
chances on the election Of Jose Miguel
Gomez as president. II conditions
should change new alignment might
be looked for as the present arrange
ment is second choice with the lead
ers Of each OF the parties.
From reports received by Washing
ton officials 1t appears that there will
be dissatisfaction with the result of
the election. whatever 1t is. The only
thing hoped for is that a majority
OF the best classes of Cubans will see
that the United States Is doing its
best to insure a fair election in order
to live up to the promise made by
President Roosevelt that American
troops shall be withdrawn at the ear
Hest practical moment and govern
mental affairs restored to the Cubans.
II Is not believed here that Governor
Magoon Is ready to say when he be
'eves such an election possible. but
that date will be fixed arbitrarily
within year. If municipal elections
are held first. the new registration
methods can be tried out and Cubans
will have an opportunity to become
used to American election methods.