Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-21
CUBA NOW FEARFUL
Feeling Grows More Intense
as Election NearS. =
GOMEZ KEEPS HANDS OFF
Prospects Of Peaceful Ballot Grow
More Remote-All Who Can,
Garry Revolvers. u
HAVANA, October 1s. 1872.

HAVANA, October 16. 1917.
Cuba's approaching presidential cleo
tions. which. IL nothing develops in tho
meantime to prevent them. are to take
place November 1. Will be the second TO be
held by the Cubans without American SUI
pervision.
The first election. that OF 1905. which
resulted in placing Estrada Palma in the
presidential chair for the second time.
was accompanied by disorders. followed
by threats OF revolution. eliminating ia
the outbreak OF August. 1906. directet
by DR.. Alfredo Zayas and Gen. Pho
Guerra, and precipitated the second
American Intervention. under Gov. Ma
COON. During this intervention was held
under the supervision OF American army
officers the election of 1905. which re-
suited in the election of Gen. Jose Miguel
Gomez and DR.. Zayas by "A substantial
ma jorty. The election was marked by
the absence of any disorders other than
small partisan sQuabbles.
Rival Candidates.
The rival candidates for the presidency
and vice presidency now are DR.. Zayas
and Gen. Eusebio Hernandez for the lib
eral party and Gen. Mario @. Menocai
and DR.. Enrique Narona Suarez for the
conservative party. also known as the pa
triotic alliance and as the fusion party, in
allusfon to the recent detection OF Gen.
Asbert, Governor OF Havana province.
from the liberal ranks and his espousal
of the conservative cause. In the plat
forms OF principles OF both parties there
is absolutely no difference.
Besides the president and tho vice
president. there are to be elected thir-
teen of the twenty-four senator's, forty
nine of the ninety-tive representatives
who compose the lower house. the gov
ernorS OF the six provinces. mayors and
city counclmen of the ninety-iive ma
inequalities into which the island is diVid
ed and some minor officials The baI.ot
gives the voter the fullest protection U
secrecy.
Gomez Stands Aloof.
Officially aloof from both the contending
parties stands President Jose Miguel
Gomez who has from time to time given
abundant assurances that he had no de
sire to succeed himself as ruler of tG-
republic, and that between the rival
candidates he would stand in an attitude
of absolute impartiality and would de
vote all his power to preserving the peace
and giving the country an election -
perfectly fair that there would he no eN-
cuse for cavil. whatever the result might
be.
Both as president and as the recognized
head of that wing of the liberal party
known as ''historicos." Gen. Gomez
tives now complain bitterly that the pres
ident is throwing this power into the
scale on the side OF the Zayistas. and
Gen. Menocal has openly told the presi-
dent that he will not hesitate to have
recourse to force if he finds himself In
danger Of being defrauded OF victory.
Menocars popularity is beyond question
great. probably greater than that or any
other Cuban.
On the other hand, the followers OF
Zayas charge the president with favor
itism of the conservatives.
Peace Prospects Dwindle.
The prospects OF a peaceful election are
dwindling in proportion to the rise OF
party passions. Already there have been
pistol fights in the suburbs OF Havana. at
Guanajay, at Camajuani. at Sagua La
Grande and other places. where lives nave
been lost.
The high officers OF the national police.
who are in the best position to know
what is going on, view the future with
the gravest apprehension. Much OF this
fear is based on the fact that every Gu
ban who can afford the price of revolver
carries one and would as soon think or
going out without his hat as without his
weapon
The government has been considering
the propriety of canceling all licenses to
carry arms, but such decree would be
ineffective, especially IN view of the fact
that not one in a hundred is the holder OF
a license.
Both parties realize fully that a re-
course to arms will almost inevitably pre-
cipitate intervention, but so imp!acable Is
the party spirit that this does not appear
to act as a deterrent. both being APP ar
70 what they 4 hA
horrors of another intervent on than
c,,l,rnif To The rule of their GeteSted on