The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-10-19
CUBAN ELECTION
WILL COME SOON
1t Will Be the Second Held Without
American upervisicn-There Is
No Difference in the Plat
form Principles.


| Havana, Oct. l9-Cuba's approaching
presidential elections, which, if nothing
develops in the meantime to prevent
them, are to take place on November
will be the second to be held by Cubans
without American supervision. The first
election that of 1905, which resulted in
placing Estrada Palma in the presiden-
tial chair for the second time, was ac-
companied by disorders, followed by
threats of revolution, eliminating in the
outbreak of August, 1906, directed by
DR.. Alfredo Zayas and General Pine
Guerra, and precipitated the second
American intervention under Governor
Magoon. During this intervention was
held under the supervision of American
army officers the election of 1908, which
resulted in the election of General Jose
Miguel Gomez and DR.. Zayas by sub
stantial majority. The election was
marked by the absence of any disorders
other than small partisan squabbles.
The rival candidates for the presiden-
ey and vice presidency now are DR.. Zayas
and General Eusebio Hernandez for the
Liberal party, and General Mario G.
Menocal and Dr. Enrique Varona Suarez
Tor the Conservative party, also known
as the Patriotic alliance and as the Flu.
sion party, in allusion to the recent de-
lection of General Asbert, governor OF
Havana province. from the Liberal ranks
and his espousal of the Conservative
cause. In the platforms Of principles OF
both parties there is absolutely no differ.
ence.
Besides the president and the vice.
president there are to be elected thirteen
of the twenty-four senators, 40 of the 95
representatives who compose the lower
houes, the governors of the six provinces,
mayors and city councilmen of the 95
into which the island is
divided, and some minor officials. The
ballot gives the voter the fullest protec-
ton of secrecy.
Officially aloof from both the contend !
ing 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 the |
republic, and that between the rival can
lidates he would stand in an attitude /
If absolute impartality and would de-
vote all his power to preserving the peace
md giving the country an election SOY
fair that there would be no ex-
use for cayil whatever the result might
le
Both as president and as the recog-
liZed head of that wing of the Liberal
,arty known as "Historicos," General
Iomez yields enormous power The Con-
ervatives now complain bitterly that the
resident is throwing this power into
he scale on the side of the Zayistas, and
General Menocal has openly told the
resident that he will not hesitate to
ave recourse to force if he finds himself
n danger of being defrauded of victory {
Ienocal's popularity is beyond question
reat, probably greater than that of any
Their Cuban. I
On the other hand, the followers of :
ayas charge the president with favor /
ism of the Conservatives. {
The prospects of peaceful election !
re dwindling in proportion to the rise '
t party passions. Already there have !
cen pistol fights in the suburbs of Hs-
ana at Guanajay. at Camaiuani, at
aqua La Grande and other places, where
YES have been lost.
The high officers of the national police,
no are in the best position to know
hat is going on, view the future with
ne gravest apprehension. Much of this
ar is based on the fact that every Gu
an who can afford the price of revolver
Irries one and would as soon think OF
ping out without his hat as without
IS weapon. The government has been
the propriety of eanceling all
censes to carry arms, but such a decree
ould be ineffective. especially in view
the fact that not one in a hundred is
lie holder OF a license.
Both parties realize fully that a re-
urse to arms will almost inevitably .
ccipitate intervention; but so implac- ]
We is the party spirit that this does 9
Il appear to act as a deterrent, both v
ing apparently willing to face what t
ey term the "horrors of another in. $
rvention" than submit to the rule of c
cir detested opponents. :