The Washington herald., 1909-01-26

by REDEAl
Havana. Jan B.-On Thursday. Janu-
airy IS. Gen. Jose Miguel Gomez viii be
inaugurated as President OF the republic
Of Cuba, and the American provisional
government. after a career lasting more
than two years, viii cease 10 exist. The
American administrative officers VIII
leave the island the American soldiers
VIII 20 home, and Cuba viii once again
be governed by Cubans Yet there wiil
be no change Of flag as feature of the
ceremony The Cuban flag has been fly
ing al the time. and the American gov
ernmeHt in Cuba has derived its powers
from the Cuban constitution. OhiciaIly,
the government has been known as "the
provisional administration Cnoficially,
and by popular consent. the government
Is always referred TO as the second in
tervention." Now that the intervention
is coming 10 a close, II is worth while 10
review its brief but unique history.
Upon the withdrawal OF Spanish SOW
ereignty from Cuba. on January !, lE9.
the result Of the Cuban war For inde-
pendence and the Spanish American war,
TIE United States established q military
government in Cuba The American na-
ton had given its pledge that Cuba was
20 be free. and it was understood that
the military government was 10 continue
only so long as was deemed necessary 70
prepare for the launching Of the Cuban
snip OF state one Of the necessary things
was TO secure recognition from the other
nations OF the independent sovereignty
Of the new republic
To accomplish this. II was practically
necessary for the United States 10 guar
anJee the preservation OF Cuban inde-
pendenCe, the maintenance Of a govern
ment in the island adequate for the pro-
lection Of life. property. and individual
liberty, and the discharge Of treaty obIi-
cations. This matter incorporated in
the Plat amendment was presented TO
The Cuban constitutional convention. and
wes made a part Of the constitution OF
e the new republic This peculiar reIa-
ton between the United States and Cuba
Is described in diplomatic language as
the nUJJTeSs by which the sovereignty
and independence Of the Cuban republic
are protected and sustained. not a Imi-
tatiOn upon that sovereignty and inde-
penGeaCe.
In 1872 the American military govern
ment vas withdrawn. the Cuban flag was
raised for the first time over a recognized
state, and Thomas Estrada Palma was
inaUgurated as President Palma w1s q
patriot who had fought in the ten years
NJ nh E.1- -
dearer than life itself. Like the first
President Of the American republic. he
feared the strife OF political parties. and
for @ long tine refused % identify him
self with either OF the three parties which
had been formed. He attempted 10 d.
V'de The Offices between the 1Ioderates.
the Nationals. and the Independent Radi-
Gals The contest for political supremacy
especially In Congress became intense
The constitution required a quorum Of
two-thirds OF the members Of the opening
Of daily sessions there was no provision
70 compel the attendance Of members
and therefore II was an easy matter 10
prevent congressional action By breaking
a quorum Legislation was al a stand
stu. and the affairs Of the republic were
drifting toward certain disaster.
In the hope Of remedying this evil.
PRESIDENT Palma determined 10 anliate
With the Moderates, hoping 10 secure two
birds Of the members Of congress and
thereby make his government effective
When the President took this step. the
Nationals Immediately coalesced with dis
affected Noderatss and formed the new
Liberal party
President Palma then adopted the pol
.cy OF displacing' Liberals from Office
national, provincial. and munfcfpal
throughout the island. and filing their
places with Members Of the Moderate
parry. The time for the quadrenniaI
elections approached, and al the ma
-hinery Of the g0vernment-au the Office
holders. every power Of the executive
was exerted 10 bring about a Moderate
Eictory- Laws were violated By the Of
1cers, and the elections were nothing
more than farCes.
Whereupon the defeated and chagrf7a5
Liberals took 10 the bushes T-7da-
the leadership of Gen. Fsustino Guerra
q revolution was organized. and within
very few weeks there were .2l.O08 men
under arms against the authority Of the
Palma government President Palma
realized his inability TO cope with the
situation. and being unwilling 10 deIgee
the island with blood and devote its in
ouStries 10 the torch. he called upon The
Jnited States for aid. The act was con-
stitutional and patriotic. and saved his
beloved Cuba great wee. although il
brought his own career 10 a sorrowfrI
close
President Roosevelt appointed a peace
commission, composed Of Secretary Of
War Taft ard Assistant Secretary Of
State Bacon. That commission went n
Cuba 10 investigate and 10 ATTEMPT 10 re-
store order and peace. President Palma
Immediately communicated his intention
10 resign from Office. Every effort was
made TO inCUce the Cuban congress 20
elect a successor. but a quorum could not
be obtained The congress dissolved. and
the country was entirely without a gov
eminent. President Roosevelt thereupon
appointed William H Taft provisional |
governor Of the republic Of Cuba. BY vir- /
tue OF the Platt amendment, Incorporated
in the Cuban constitution and in the
treaty between the United States and
Cuba
Mr. Taft issued a proclamation on Sep
teTnber 2s' 1866, declaring himself the /
provisional governor OF the island and
promising that the United States vvouId
restore -seIf-government 10 Cuba as soon |
as possible The Cuban flag was not
taken down and the Cuban forms Of gov-
eminent were continued. Cubans were I
appointed 70 the cabinet positions. but
each was given an American IN the ca
paCitv OF adviser" The American ad- 4
visers have been the real heads OF de-
partments-
liberal party general committee was /
created and with its assistance officers