New-York tribune., 1912-03-18
DEEP UNREST IN CUBA
People Lack Real Confidence in
Their Government.
GOMEZ ANXIOUS TO RETIRE
President Will Not Accept Re-
nomination, but Cannot Find
Dependable Successor.

Havana, March i7-Not since the re-
establishment OF the republic by Governor
General Magoon on January IS, 1909, has
the political situation in Cuba been more
complicated. more difficult of analysts and
apparently more alive with dangerous
symptoms than at the present moment.
There is no question that throughout the
island there reigns a spirit Of deepest un-
rest. arising from lack of confidence in the
government. and the consequent depression
of business. aggravated by endless poiucai
dlssension. This has been all the more
noticeable since the veteran agitation cul-
minated, for the time at least. on the re-
ceipt of Secretary Knoxs note.
Despite the widespread dissatisfaction
with the administration OF President
Gomez and his reiterated protestations
that under no circumstances will he ever
consider a denomination, an impression ap-
pears to be growing that at the last mo-
ment the general will find himself unable
to select among the crowd OF candidates a
successor to whom he can conscienuously
intrust the destinies Of the republic. Many
declare their conviction that Gomez Is the
one strong man in the country, and pre-
dict confidently that, II he fails TO succeed
himself, the country, uncontrolled by MS
firm grasp, will soon be thrown into an
archy. Others profess confidence that the
acceptance OF a denomination by President
Gomez will be the signal for an uprising
that will either sweep the country or pre-
cipitate an immediate intervention by the
United States
II is well known that Gomez has soma
his utmost 10 induce General Mario Memo
cal. the great conservative leader, who by
reason of his high personal character and
his renown as the greatest surviving leader
Of the revolution, may be said TO rank
foremost among living Cubans, TO accept
the nomination as a Conservative, with the
backing of the Miguelista wing Of the LIB
eral party. General Menocal. however Is
strongly disincllned to accept nomlna-
ton, even were his election to be practi-
cally assured. Patriot as he is, it is said
by some who know him best that, under
existing conditions, he doubts the possi-
bilty that he can serve his country in the
capacity OF President.
Gomez is said to have even offered his
support TO that uncompromising Conserva-
tive, General Freire de Andrade, who has
not been able to see his way to an accept
ance Recently the President has declared
himself warmly in favor OF the candidacy
of General Ernesto Asbert, the Liberal
Governor OF Havana, who Is making a
strong campaign in his own province and
has a considerable following in Pinar del
Rio This action has met the strong dis
approval Of many OF Gomezs supporters
notably that OF Colonel OTestes Ferrara,
Of A.
tives, whose resignation as Speaker is be-
leved to have been due TO this and Repre-
sentative Mendleta, who also resigned.
Among other important supporters of the
President who arc said to intend signify
ing their disapproyal OF his course by re-
tirement is General Machado, Secretary OF
the Department OF the Interior, and prob
ably the strongest member Of the Cabinet.
General Nunez, the president Of the Vet
erans' Association, declares, however, that
the campaign will be kept up and that IL
the veterans cannot enforce the dismissal
of all the traitors and guerrillas they Will
devote themselves to the liberalization" or
the government and the "Cubanization" OF
the country This latter feature calls for
the distribution OF all public lands among
Cubans, so that the present rapid passing
of land into the hands Of foreigners may
be checked and the imposition Of increased
taxation on foreign corporations.