Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1909-11-29
Vacancy in State Department Leads
to Lively Scramble.
TRUCE PATCHED UP IS NO MORE
Gomez Starts Trouble by Declaring
Against FaotiOnal Lines.
NEGRO QUESTION ALSO POsET
Hnvana Recently Mecca for CoIOred
Leaders who Claim They Are
Not Receiving share
of spoils.
FUSION NO LONGER IN EFFECT

HAVANA. Nov 2S-Not since the down
fan OF the administration OF President
Palma has the political atmosphere Of
cuba been more obscure and more laden
with suggestions Of trouble than It is at
the present time The re-established repub.
lie Is scarcely nine months old and already
rumors have become persistent that some
way is being sought to secure the retire
ment OF President Gomez either by per-
suasion or compulson, and place Vice Pres
ident Zayas at the head Of the nation.
When General Gomez received the post
OF chief magistrate at the hand OF Governor
Magoon the followers Of Vice President,
Zayas stood shoulder to shoulder with
those of the president and even the conser-
vative opposition. which had sustained the
banner Of General Menereal in the cam
paign Of the previous summer lent him
their loyal support In the determination to
give the new administration a fair trial
That they regard the trial as failure is
evidenced by their manifesto issued shortly
before the reconvening of congress in which
they declared their intention of beginning
an active compaign against the administra-
tlon.
ZRyns VIII Not Fuse.
Prabably the most serious condition that
president is now facing is that resulting
from the continuing failure of efforts TO
effect complete fusion between his part-
sans and those of Vice President Zayas.
For about three years the negotiations
have been in progress and NJ least half
a dozen times announcement has been
made of their success. During the presi-
dental campaign there was a truce, but
with the beginning of the distribution of
offices under the new administration
mutual distrust was re-established, each
side contending tenaclously for its share
few days ago General Gomez startled
the liberal leaders by addressing to them
letter in which he stated that. so far as
he was officially concerned, he had de-
cided 20 consider the fusion as an accom-
plished fact and in view OF this he would
in the future make appointments to his
cabinet without any reference to the par
tioular faction of the liberal party to which
the appointee might have belonged.
Important Post Vacant.
The attitude Of the president was partic-
ularly Objectionable to the Zayas, because
the important post OF secretary of state
was recently made vacant by the resigna-
tion of Justo Garcia Velez a prominent
member Of the faction. and It was feared
that the president would attempt TO fiji il
with one OF his supporters
Another disquieting feature OF the situ-
alton is the renewal OF agitation for the
formation of a negro party. Steps prelim-
mary to organization were taken at a
meeting OF colored men in the province of
Oriente. For some weeks past Havana
has been the Mecca for local colored lead.
ers from all sections of the island, who
have come to confer with Senator Morn a
Del Gado, president of the senate and &c
knowledged leader OF his race. in whose
honor q great demonstration was recertly
held tntHavana.
The grievance Of the negroes is hat
they have not been accorded the number
OF offices 10 which they feel that the! are
entitled. Morua is known TO have ')resi-
Dental ASPIRATIONS and as his term In the
senate will soon expire, II Is more than
likely that he will demand a cabinet posi-
tion, either that OF secretary OF ST ate or
secretary OF public works.