The Washington herald., 1912-10-27
BY JORGE GODOY.
Social editor of the Havana Post.

Social editor of the Havana Post
The coming Presidential elections In
Cuba are to take place November l, the
month when the American people shall
decided who ID to be their Chief OF
State.
When the writer was last in Havana
there were two political parties, but one
Of them, the Liberal, was divided in two
branches. These were known as the
of electing Vice President Alfredo Zayas
as President Of the republic, and the
"Asbertistas." because they advocated
the election OF the Governor OF Havana
province. Gen. Ernesto Asbert, as chief
magistrate Of the nation. The other par
ty was the Conservative. whose leading
candidate for the Presidency was Gen.
Mario Menocal
Although a large number of friends and
admirers Of President Jose Miguel Co
mez repeatedly insisted upon his re-elec-
ton. he positively refused to run for a
second term, and through the Cuban
press emphatically stated that he de-
sired to retire from public life at the
expiration OF his Presidential period.
The question as to who has the best
chances OF being elected President and
Vice President. respectively. of Cuba. is
by no means easily answered. If. how
ever, the telegraphic advices received
here recently. saying that the alignment
Of political parties has been completed
by a formal alliance of the "Asbertistas
with the Conservatives, be true, then 1t
is more than likely that Gen. Menocal.
the Conservative candidate, who some
think derives much strength from Presi-
dent Gomez, will occupy the Cuban
White House.
Some Manifestations.
Are the three Presidential candi-
dates popular with the masses? Yes.
About three months ago ! witnessed
one of the grandest political manifes-
tations ! have ever seen. This mani
festation was in honor of Gen. Asbert.
Picture to yourselves a beautiful tropical
night and a parade consisting of thou
sands of .'guajiros." or farmers, mounted
on prancing steeds; pedestrians carrying
lighted torches; .'ninagos." or negroes,
attired in amusingly strange costumes,
dancing, singing, blowing horns. and
beating drums. and wagons filled with
palms and fruit initiating Cuban 'bo-
hios." or huts. This parade, after pass
ing through Havana's principal thor
oughfares, reached the national palace.
where hundreds Of spectators. vocifer-
ously applauded. shouting at the top of
their voices Viva Asbert! Viva Cuba
libre."
Shortly after this another political man.
Hesitation delighted the people of Ha-
vana. Gen. Menocal had just arrived
from his country home. The Sevilla. one
of the most fashionable hotels of the
Cuban capital, was artisticaly embel-
lshed with silken banners. flags, and pic
lures of the Conservative candidates. The
illumination of the spacious avenue in
front of that hotel. where thousands of
electric bulbs added brilliancy to the
scene. could only be compared to the
sparkling rays of fairyland. At the doors
of the houses, in the windows. and stand
ing on the streets and sidewalks throngs
OF smiling dark-eyed women and gesticu-
lating men enthusiastically greeted Gen.
'Menncal when they caught sight of him.
Typical Cuban songs and dances by some
of Havana's leading actors and actresses
were enjoyed by the onlookers. as well
as an eloquent speech pronounced by Mr..
Dolz. editorial writer of Ell Dia. a Con-
servative newspapers of powerful in
fluence and large circulation.
The third political manifestation in
honor of Vice President Alfredo Zayas.
Liberal candidate to the Presidency. was
a banquet, although it might have end
ed with riot. The cause Of II was the
following: A number of ''Zayistas'' went
to the opposing party's meeting house
with the purpose of inviting Gen. As
bert to attend that sociable affair. but
tne 1OilOWerS OF tne latter, DelleVlnS
they We're coming with hostile inten-
tions. began throwing flower-pots. chairs
and other objects at them. SeveSal shots
were exchanged, women shrieked and
tainted, men ran and hid wherever they
could conceal themselves, and the Off
GERS of the law had to interfere For
tunately. however, nobody was killed or
seriously injured. and the .'Zayistas'
were able to finish their banquet peace
frrll Sny 10
frequently take place to boom up popu-
lar political leaders Around the tables
beautified with flowers of every de-
scription, from two to three hundred
persons are seated. Impromptu ad-
dresses are delivered on the impulse of
the moment. (for all Cubans excel in
the art of oratory.) while an orchestra
renders select pieces to the rhyme of
the kissing champagne glasses.
political manifestation in Havana
is, in truth, worth while seeing. The
Cuban VINO beholds II feels the flame OF
patriotism rush through his veins. and
the foreigner gazes on this original and
fascinating spectacle with apparent
pleasure and indescribable amazement.
Politics Suspended.
The political agitation in Cuba was
suspended last May owing to the negro
revolt, which threatened to do away with
the peaceful conditions of the republic.
What was the cause Of that uprising?l
Simply this: A few hundred sons of
Africa, headed by Gems. Estenoz and
Ivonet. and an old leader of theirs suf-
fering from paralysis (although one of
the greatest members of the colored
race, intelligently speaking), decided to
form an Independent political party OIL
their own, Estenoz to be put up as Pres
Aential candidate. OF course, as was
expected. President Gomez supported by
the white element Of Cuba. refusd toI
recognize these disturbers of the peace
What was the result? An insurrection
broke out, some negroes rose in arms
against the government, and declared
they would massacre every Cauca AN
falling In their power. Then Cuban
troops were hurried to the scene of the
conflict. volunteers offered their serv-
Ices. and even American battleshipsI
ance there After a few months ofl
guerrilla warfare. and very little blood |
shed. the two leading negro revolution
lists, Gems. Estenoz and Ivonet, were
killed. and tranquility was restored
throughout the Cuban nation.
Let us now take a rapid glance at some |
of the well-known candidates and states |
men of Cuba I shall begin with the |
Conservative candidate for the Presi- |
dency. Gen. Mario Menocal An engi- |
neer by profession, he distinguished him |
self as a military leader during the war |
of independence. Four years ago he was |
also the Conservative candidate for the