Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02
New Election Law Works Well,
Cables Magoon.
VERY SMALL VOTE is CAST
There Are No Disturbances Of Any
Moment.
TAFT VERY MUCH PLEASED
Republican Candidate Sends Con-
CALCULATIONS to Governor and
Says, "Vive La Cuba Libce."

HAVANA August 1.-Cuba'S first cleo
ton under American supervision was held
today and was marked by general tran
quality and the absence of excitement
throughout the island. The only disturb
ance occurred this afternoon at San Jose
de las Lajas. where there was a slight
collision between rival professions or
whites and blacks, but in which no one
was hurt.
Gov Magoon in an automobile visited all
the polling places today, and tonight ex-
pressed qualification at the orderly man
ner in which the election proceeded.
In Havana city 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 or
the registration total.
Reports from the interior indicate that
despite fine weather not over tn per cent
of the electors cast their ballots.
The election boards in all the munich
palities met at = o'clock to receive returns
of the local boards. but at $50 CLOCK
not a single ward had been reported. 1t
is believed that owing to the ineXperlence
of the election officers with the new sys-
tenn only few scattering returns Will
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
dictate a close contest with a fair prospect
for a conservative success in majority
Of the provinces.
Taft Sends Congratulations.
HOT SPRINGS. Va, August IA
cabled report on the successful election
in Cuba today from Gov. MagoOn was
responded to with congratula tory mes
sage from Judge Taft tonight, as fol-
lows:
Congratulate the people OF Cuba on
the successful operation Of the new cleo
ton law. 1t indicates successful out
come in the presidential election to fol-
low and desire on the part of the peo-
pie to have lawful and just elections. 1t
insures the turning over of the govern
ment as directed by President Roosevelt
and is evidence that the people are de-
termined to make permanent their gov
eminent, dependent as it must be on
peaceful and fair elections. Please ac-
cept for yourself my personal congratula-
tons and convey them also to the lead
ers of all the parties, to the legislative
commission and to the people of Cuba on
the successful outcome of the day. V1ve
la Cuba libre."
Provisional Gov. Magoon of Cuba in a
dispatch to Secretary Wright from Ha-
Vana tonight cables MS unStlnteQ praise
of the manner in which the election in
Cuba had been conducted and says that
the orderly manner in which they have
proceeded and the vote cast should re-
move all doubt as to the ability and de-
sire 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 admins
tration of affairs is conducted in the
meantime by the municipal and provincial
officials chosen today. and upon the gen.
eral tranquility of the island. Gov. Ma
COON says:
Vote in Havana.
I'm the city of Havana the vote was
slightly in excess of so per cent Of the