The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-15
'FACTIONAL FIGHTS
ARE FORGOTTEN
BY CUbANS
PARTIES WORKING IN HARMONY
TO MAKE sELF.oovERNMENT
succEssFuL-ooMEz TO DEAL
HARD WITH REBELS.

HAVANA, March l5.--The political
factions in Cuba have forgotten. 10
a large extent, their political
snimosities and are working in har-
mony 10 make successful the self-gOv.
eminent that has been established in
the island after years OF supervision
by the American officials. There has
been no untoward, incident 10 confirm
the prediction that the experiment Of
geif-government in Cuba was destined
10 speedy failure. The government of
Gen. Gomez. on the other hand, has
yet TO present assurances OF its abil-
tty to direct wisely and firmly the des-
TIMES OF the island.
Only once has there been even the
faintest rumor IL an uprising. This
was three weeks ago. when three
discharged oficeholders In Santiago
de Cuba were reported TO have
taken To the woods. but the rumor
was untrue. Thus far the new con
gress has done little. and this is
one OF the most discouragiug fea-
lures OF the situation. suggesting as
II does a repetition OF that inability
TO agree In legislative matters
which produced the deadlock in the
last Cuban congress. compelled
President Palma 10 legislate by de-
cree in violation OF the constitu-
ton and finally precipitated the up
rising In August, 1905. which were
followed by the Intervention OF the
United States and the appointment
OF Mr.. Taft as provincial governor.
Should Gen. Gomez find himself
forced into the unhappy position OF
his predecessor. II is most probable
that he will not shrink from dealing
with the malecontents with all the
severity that the occasion demands
and nip any insurrection movement
IN the bud.
A discouraging feature OF the con
gressional session has been the multi
picity OF trivial measures introduced
Among these were bills 10 rescind
the military orders of the first inter
vention against cockfghts and bull
fights; to establish national lottery
to found orders OF military merit the
members OF which may wear decora-
tion In recognition or eminent ser
vices In war" and TO change the name
OF the revenue cutter service 10 that
OF the Cuban navy
The general amnesty bill which was
signed by Gen. Gomez a few days ago
gave liberty to hundreds OF convicts
throughout the republic. all but the
perpetrators of most atrocious crimes
being included in its provisions
One OF the most recent amend
ments, which was accepted by the
house gravely declares that all
homicides and suicides except those
serving life sentences for a second
offense, shall be included i'm the
amnesty. This led to the pertinent
inquiry whether Cuban suicides have
as many lives as a cit
Another bill which was the subject
OF much discussion and misunder-
sanding was that introduced by Con-
gresham Arteaga to restrain the fur
Their acquisition OF real estate by fore
igners. II was assumed that the pur.
pose OF the bill was to prohibit the
ownership by aliens not only OF real
estate, but OF various other kinds OF
property and to compel the foreign
owners OF more than four-fifths OF the
sugar plantations OF the island TO ac-
cept Cuban citizenship or relinuuish
their estates; but the bill served
merely to place on record the patriotic
aspirations OF a few extremists. for
IL was rejected.