Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-03
CUBAN ELECTIONS ARE QUIET
Tranquility Marks First selectiOu
of OffiCsru OF New
Regime.


under American supervision yesterday was
marked by general tranquility and the
absence Of excitement throughout the
island. The elections were solely for mu-
niclpal and provincial officials.
The only disturbance occurred this after
noon at San Jose de las Jas, where there
was a slight collision between rival pro-
cessions of whites and blacks, but In which
no one was hurt.
Governor MSgoon in an automobile
visited all the polling places in the city
this morning and tonight expressed grati-
fication at the orderly manner in which
the election proceeded.
In Havana extraordinary apathy was
shown by the voters. Despite the activity
OF the organized efforts TO bring the voters
to the polls in carriages and automobiles
the total number OF votes cast here was
less than 30 per cent OF the registration
total.
Reports from the interior indicate that
despite fine weather. not over % per cent
OF the electors cast their ballots.
The election boards in all the municipal
tiles met at O'Clock to receive returns
Of the local boards. but at $50 not a single
ward had been reported. It is believed
that owing to the fnexperience OF the cleo
tion officials with the new system only a
few scattering returns viii be received
tonight
Both the Zayistas and conservatives are
claiming Havana province and city with
the chances rather favoring the former
party. Estimates from interior points in
dicate close contest with a fair prospect
for a conservative success In a majority
of the provinces
CabIeHram from President.
OYSTER BAY, Aug. 1.-Presldent Roose-
welt, In replying to q cablegram received
from Governor Magoon tonight. in which
the latter described the orderly election held
in Cuba today. congratulated the people OF
Cuba on the orderly election, which he
| termed ''vindication OF their capacity for
self-government."
The presidents message follows:
OYSTER BAY, Aug. 1--Magoon, Havana:
/ congratulate the people of Cuba on the
orderly election that has been held and the
vindjcation just shown of their capacity for
self f-government. l have, no doubt that the
and 1 feel the greatest satisfaction at the
serious way in which the Cuban people
are preparing for the assumption Of their
duties as an independent republic.
THEODORE ROOSEV ELT. .
Taft COnsratuIates BIRgoOn.
HOT SPRINGS. Va, Aug. Ia cabled re-
port on the successful election in Cuba to-
day from Governor Magoon was responded
to with congratulatory message from
Judge Taft tonight as follows;
| Congratulate the people OF Cuba on the
successful operation of the new election
| law 1t indicates a successful outcome in
the presidential election to follow and a
desire On the part Of the people to have
| lawful and just elections. 1t insures the
| turning over OF the government as directed
| by President Roosevelt and Is evidence that
the people are determined to make perma-
nent their government, dependent as It mus;
be on peaceful and fair elections. Please
accept for yourself my personal congratula'
tions and convey them also TO the leaders
4 Of all the parties, to tho fegisItiv conn.,
mission and to the people OF Cuba as to the
Successful- outcome - A-s aay' viva "a
| Cuba Libre. s-
1 Another Election I'm December.
7 WASHINGTON. Aug. 1.-Provisional Gov
| ernor Magoon Of Cuba, in a dispatch to SEQ
| rotary Wright, cables tonight his sunstinted
praise of the manner in which the Cuban
elections have been conducted and says
| the orderly manner in which they have
proceeded and the vote cast should remove
all doubt as to the ability and desires OF
the Cuban people to hold fair and peaceful
elections.
The next elections to- be held will be
| for presidential electors and members OF
congress. Probably they will be held in
December, the date depending entirely upon
the manner in which the administration OF
affairs is conducted in the meantime by
| the municipal and provincial officials
chosen today and upon the general tran
qulllity OF the island.
The new law under which the elections
were held has proved successful. The Off
GERS elected we're six governors. ten provin-
cial councilmen, eighty-two municipal
mayors and 1,24s municipal councilmen.
In the absence Of Secretary Wright from
the city, General Clarence R. Edwards
chief OF the Insular bureau, forwarded the
oablegram to him at Westchester, N. Y.
and telegraphed 1t to Judge Taft at Hot
Springs. because OF his interest in Cuban