The Washington herald., 1913-09-08
IN
CUBAN POLITICS
Situation at Present Shows
Many Thorny Spots
for Menocal.
ALL DEMAND SPOILS
Former President Gomez, Popular with
Masses, Not Ayerse to
Serving Again.

Havana, Sept 7.-Many in close touch
with the ins and outs of Cuban condi-
tions. political and commercial. believe
the Republic faces the most serious prob
lem since the American nag was lowered
from the national palace. 1t will require
skilled diplomacy, political craft, and a
firmness yet unknown in Cuban affairs to
bring about a stable solution. 1t is gen.
orally believed that President Menocal Is
strong enough to tide his administration
over, but IL Is also conceded that he has
a strenuous proposition on his hands. He
Is apparently trying TO give an honest
and capable administration, opposite to
what many politicians and their adhei-
ents want
The successful politician in Latin
America, especially Cuba, is he who can
lprovide the most jobs for his constituency.
Ability to get jobs is valuable political
asset. The average henchman knows but
little and cares less about matters OF
State. He wants to get on the govern
ment payroll, and he doesn't relish any
position that requires much physical
exertion.
Briefly. Cuba at present faces condi-
tions that might be subdivided into four
parts.
l. A chaotic political condition, and
dllGihpt VI pEDlGSslOldl
and those who crave power TO overthrow
the influence of and discredit the Menocal
administration.
. The action Of Congress in refusing
to accede to the wishes Of the President
and temper the immunity clause" of
the constitution so that its members
would not be entirely immune from civil
courts.
J. The recent Presidential decree that
dissolved the Ports Company OF Cuba
and annulIed millions OF invested for
eign capital. which may serve to cheaper
the commercial integrity of the republic
with foreign investors.
4. The recently enacted military re-
| firing law, by which nearly 100 army
officers have been retired and which po-
litical factions have seized upon for cam
paign material to stir up discomfort in
the army.
Liberal Party Shattered.
Cuban politics probably have not been
so thoroughly stirred up and disorgan.
lied since President Taft and DR.. Alfredo
Zayas overthrew the Estrada-Palma ad-
ministration and set up the government
Of 1906. The last Presidential election
| shattered the Liberal party. The pa.
triotic conjunction" composed Of Con.
seryatives and "Asbertistas," exiles from
all parties, elected MenocaL. His inaugu-
ration in turn shattered the Conserva-
tives, so that now he might be called a
President without a party. II is gener-
ally conceded that the party is broken
up beyond reorganization. The last con.
ference OF the leaders resulted in widen
ing factional breaches, and DR.. Enrique
Jose Verona. Vice President OF Cuba and
president OF the Conservatives, was
called upon to resign. the leadership. Its
present condition mi mt be compared tc
the American Republican party after the
Taft convention at Chicago.
The row among the Conservatives was
brought about by the apparent honesty
OF MenocaL They wanted the "rascals
turned OUT and themselves ensconced
wanted a pro rata of jobs for their part
in the patriotic conjunction" Instead
of listening TO party clamor, Menocal set
about PresIdentIng IN a business way.
Where a man OF opposite faith was eff
cient he was retained in office. This policy
was also adopted by Col. Charles Her
nandeZ, the new Postmaster General
This line of official conduct would not
be reasoned out by the politicians: con-
seQuently, the howl they raised could be
heard from one end OF the island to the
other A Senator from an interior prov
ince. soon after Menocal took office, sent
one batch of fifty men to Col. Jose VII
lalon, Secretary of Public Works, saying
they were his political allies, and asked
that they be provided with government
jobs.
The refusal of Congress to temper the
Immunity clause" which allows men,
bers to sIay and pillage without fear of