Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-10-02
CUBAN POLITICS
IN CHAOTIC SHAPE
President Arrayed Against All
the SpOiISmen.
ENEMY OF DEMAGOGUES.
Ability to Get Jobs Valuable Asset on
the Island-Former President Gomez,
Popular With the Masses, Not Ad-
verse to Serving characterization
Are Summed Up In Nutshell.

verse to Serving Again-condition
Are Summed Up In Nutshell.
Havana. Cuba.-Many in close touch
with the ins and outs of Cuban condi-
lions. political and commercial, be-
licyc the republic faces the most scr-
Gus problem since the American flag
was lowered from the national palace
1t will require skilled diplomacy. pO-
lotica craft and a iirlnncss yet I'M
known in Cuban affairs to bring about
n stable solution. 1t is generally be-
licvcd that President Mcnocal is strong
enough to tide his administration over.
but it is also conceded that he has Il
strenuous proposition on his hands
lie Is apparently trying to give an
honest and capable administration, OPP
posite to what many politicians ana
their adhcrents want
The successful politician in Latin
America, especially Cuba. is he who
can provide the most jobs for his con
stitucncy Ability to get jobs is a
valuable political asset. The average
hcnchman knows but little and cares
less about matters of state. lie wants
to get on the government payroll and
he doesn't relish amy position that re
quircs much physical cXertion.
Briefly, Cuba ut present faces con
ditions that might be subdivided into
fourt parts:
First.--A chaotic political condition and
the attempt Of professional politicians and
those who crave power to overthrow the
influence of and discredit the Menocal add
ministratiOn.
Second. The action of congress in re
fusing to ncccde TO the wishes of the pres
idcnt and temper the Immunity clause
of the constitution so that its members
would not be entirely immune from civil
courts
Third The recent presidential decree
that dissolved the Ports Company of Cuba
and annullcd millions OF invested foreign
capital. which may serve to cheaper tho
commercial integrity of the republic with
foreign Investors
Fourth.-Thc recently enacted military
retiring law, by which nearly 100 army
officers have been retired and which polit-
zeal factions have seized upon for cam,
paiEn material to stir up discomfort i'm the
army.
been SO thoroughly stirred up and dis
organized since President Taft and DR.
Alfredo Zayas overthrow the Estrada
Palma administration and set up the
government Of 1906. The last prcsi
DENTAL election shattered the Liberal
party The "patriotic coniunction,
composed OF Conservatives and "As-
az 49,,
elected Mcnocal His inauguration in
turn shattered the Conservatives so
that now he might be called n presi-
dent without Il party. 1t is generally
conceded that the party is broken up
beyond reorganization The last con
ference of the leaders resulted in
widening fractional breaches, and DR..
Enrique Jose Verona. vice president of
Cuba and president of the ConServa-
tivcs. was called upon to resign the
leadership
The row among the Conservatives
was brought about by the apparent
honesty of Menocal. They wanted the
"raScals turned out" and themselves
ensconccd in political jobs The AS
bertistaS" also wanted Il pro rata of
jobs for their part in the patriotic
conjunction" Instead of listening to
party Clamor, Menocal set about prcSi-
denting in business way Where Il
man of opposite faith was efficient he
was retained in office This policy was
also adopted by Colonel Charles Her
nandcz, the new postmaster general
This line Of official conduct could
not be reasoned out by the politicians;
consequently the howl they raised
could he heard from one end of the
island to the other \ senator from
an interior province, soon after Memo
cal took office sent one batch of fifty
men to Colonel Jose Nillalon, secretary
OF public works. saying they We're his
political allies, and asked tn: they
be provided with government lbs.
The refusal of congress to temper
the ''immsnity clause" which blows
members to shay and pillage without
fear of civil courts, was Il SLAP at the
president, This wrangle grew ont of
the killing Of General Armando de J.
Riva. chief of the national police. Tn
der this clause the expressed consent
of congress must be obtained to allow
civil prosecution, but public opinion
was SO strong that congress consented
to the trial of Senator Morales and
Representative Arias, but refused to
further modify it. President Menocal
used his strong influence and sought to
WELD the big stick" hut congress
simply set down In harness" and ask
ed. What are you going to do about
it." Anti-administration forces rallied
to congress and prevented quorum.
and the president was left high and
dry. In the meantime the hearing con.
Times