The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-30
CUBAN SITUATION
MAY soon CAUSE
Us MORE TROUBLE
Financial Condition of Island
Said to be Growing Desper-
ate---Congress Refuses Need
ed Loan.
President Menocal Makes APP
peal to the Patriotism Of
People, but They Apparently
Continue Indifferent.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2s.--Business
men with interests in Cuba are be-
ginning 10 take pessimistic view of
conditions in that island. present and
to come, and one of them today made
the prediction that the time is not far
of when II will he necessary 10 es-
tahlish there government similar to
that of Egypt. with a president in
nominal charge. as is the khedive
but with an American commissioner
in actual charge, as is the British
minister resident in Egypt
The Cuban congress, which has
been called In special session by
President Menocal. will continue to
refuse TO meet. according to reports
reaching Washington today, to put
through a loan of $4,000. 600. for
which President Menocal has asked.
for various old debts and pressing
public improvements.
Notwithstanding the fact that Pres
ident MenocaI has issued a statement
TO the people OF Cuba calculated TO
arouse a patriotic public sentiment
against congress. II is stated that the
people remain Indifferent. apparently.
to the appeal and it Is said. to be diff
ffcnit TO imagine what the outcome in
the island is going to he
Diplomats View Hopeful.
The Cuban minister to Washing
tim. DR.. Pablo Desverniue, has gone 10
Havana for a visit In his absence
Manuel de la vega-Calderon. the
charge d'affaires OF the legation, does
not share the gloomy Views of bust
ness naen as to Cuba's future.
Discussing the affairs Of his coun-
r0y+aT- r-r-frrVri- 1-rt-+-+---.r -
congress does continue 10 refuse 10
meet TO vote the loan needed by the
country, arrangements TO put Il
through viii undoubtedly be made at
the regular session OF congress In De-
eenfbur, although. he said. the per-
sonnet Of the congress will remain the.
same in December The members Of
congress, he declared, will change
their minds.
The difficulty In Cuba is said to be
that the political parties there are
dis.nteErated. They are said 10 be,
as IN Mexico. and in many other Latin
American countries, parties az men,
rather than of principles, The party
Of Gomez, the last president of Cuba.
for instance. is known as that Of the
"Miguelistas," much as the party OF
Felix Daz in Mexico has been
known "a the "Felicistas." Miguel be-
ing Corners first name. Such par
ties are committed To the sole pur-
pose. as a rule, Of eecting their
chiefs Menocal Is the head Of the
conservative party. and the congress.
which has a liberal majority. is OPP
posed to him and his policies, per-
force.
Details OF the situation In. Cuba are
triekling into Washington from Wall
Street. where the situation In the island
Is well known. WashinEtonians with
Wall Street connections and acquaint-
aaes, who have also a knowledge of
the congressional and State depart
ment attitude toward Cuba, declare
that the island is all but bankrupt,
and ehafe at the situation there which
preveAss the putting through OF the
proposed loan of us, 600, coo, which is
held to be worthy"
The lack of political conference in
the Island. IL is said. has been the sub
ject from time to time OF articles In the
newspapers and magazines of the
United States not entirely Just to the
ideals of some Cubans. and the Menocal
government recently appointed an
American, George Reno. to establish an
official press bureau in the United
States 10 make Americans acquainted
with what is actually being done in
the island by the government.
1t was stated today at the Cuban
legation that MIR. Reno has. however,
returned to Havana and viii set up his
press bureau there, for the benefit of
American newspapers and magazines
Washington business men with in
terests In Cuba make the criticism that
there is too much officeholding in the
island. They blame President Memo
cal. to certain extent, for not having
turned out all of the old crowd remain
Ing WHEN former President Gomez re-
tired from office. They point out that
President Menocal has been obliged
to reorganize the army. and that there
are a large number OF army officers now
placed on the retired list at o. heavy
expense because they have been sus-
pected of not being loyal to the gov
srnment Some of the $4,000. 600 to
30 raised by the loan will be used for
the reorganization of the army.
OF this loan $11 900, 900, 1t is stated
at the Cuban legation today, Is to pay
for debts contracted by the Gomez
administration. There has been talk
about graft in the island. but Cubans
will never discuss that subject. When
an American brings up sthe subject
they say, Look at Philadelphia"
Look at New York" No one, how
ever. has ever questioned that Presi-
dent Menocal is not actuated by the
highest motives. He is said TO be an
American to all intents and purposes.
He was educated in the United States,
and before assuming the presidency
he was the manager of one of the
/ largest sugar plantations in Cuba, so
that he has business and commercial
qualifications.
He is not, however, according to
Americans. being supported by the
Cuban people. and 1t is declared that
this is evidenced by the lack of SYM
pathy which meets him when he APP
peals to the people against congress.
When he recently annulled the
charter of the Ports Improvement
company as being ellegaI, it is said
that 1t would have been the most
natural thing for the people OF Cuba
TO applaud his action. while, on the
contrary, there was indifference on
n
kContinned on Third Paae.l Nh