The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-04-09
LIBERAL PARTY TICKET
IN CUBA IS STRONGER.
Since Most of the FactionaIism
Is Gone and 1t is Likely to
Win in November.

Win in November.
Correspondence of Associated press.)
GIAVANA, April S.-With the hold
Ing OF both the Conservative and Lib
eral party conventions the naming of
the principal candidates for the pres.
dental election in Cuba is completed,
as follows:
Conservatives: President Mario G.
nenocal for reelection; General
Emilio Nunez. secretary OF agriculture
for vice president
Liberals: DR.. Alfredo Zayas. for
mer vice president under the Gomez
administration of 19O9-13, for presi-
dent; and DR.. Carlos Mendicta, a men,
per OF the House Of Representatives,
for vice president.
The nomination Of Zayas and Mem
dieta is hailed by practically all fac
tons of the Liberal party as ending
he long continued feud. between The
supporta1of Zayas and the NJ elistas
who - the followers OF the former
president, Jose Miguel Gomez. This
feud grew out of the apparently i'm
placable hostility OF President Gomez
to the presidential aspirations Of his
former colleague in the administra-
ton.
Feud Is Weaker.
From the beginning of the fcud in
the early days OF his administration,
General Gomez has declared that moth
ing could reconcile him the support
OF ZAya1, until, finding himself out
generals. by the political dexterity of
the AtSsr and all hope OF his own nom
inatioa vanished, he gave his adhe-
sion to the verdict Of the convention.
That he gave 1t grudgingly, and that
there Is some doubt whether he will
give his enthusiastic personal support
to the ticket, is evidenced by the fact
that he refused to attend the conven-
ton and, after the adjournment when
the triumphant Zayistas gathered in
front Of his palace on the Prado de-
manding that he address them, he de-
clined to do so and delegated the vice
presidential candidate to speak in his
behalf. That his followers, however,
led by his own former right hand,
Speaker Ferrara, and other infiuen-
ttal leaders. will Loyalty support Zayas
there is said to be no doubt.
The only elements OF the Liberal
party now outside the breastworks are
the factions led by former Governor
Asbert and Eusebio Hernandez, who
are declared to be unlikely to prove
Of much importance. The Asbertistas,
who are somewhat numerous in Ha-
vana province with a smaller follow
ing In Matanzas. and the Hernandls-
tas are regarded as negligible guam
tity. There is also a possibility that
both may become reconciled to the
regular ticket. The Liberal leaders,
In any event declare the prospects
of the success of their ticket are
bright.
Menocal In Control.
With President Menocal in control
of all the machinery OF the govern
ment, having support Of the army, and
himself popular with good record
OF administration, he will not be cas-
lily defeated. There is, however, in the
Conservative party an element which
Is opposed on principle to reelection,
and what the strength of this element
may be can only be developed during
the course OF the campaign. On the
other hand the voting strength OF the
Liberals Is unquestionably great and
Will be increased by the support of
many Cubans who. without any dis
tinct political affiliations, or hostility
to the administration, are disposed to
welcome change.
What the Liberals profess to fear is
that they will be denied a fair count
and that the party in power will adopt
the tactics Of ballot box stuf1ing. They
also say that, since the incorporation
OF the old Rural Guard in the regu-
lar army, there is grave danger OF mil
itary terrorism at the polls. Hence
there is renewed discussion of the adj
visibility Of asking the United States
government to appoint a commission
to supervise the registration and yot-
Ing as the only means of assuring a
perfectly fair election and obviating
the peril OF revolution that might re-
suit from any suspicion OF unfairness.
1t Is unlikely, however, that this step
will be resorted to for some time. at
least until party passions should be-
come dangerously aroused. The polit-
ical campaign will probably not reach
an acute stage until the period be-
tween the close OF the sugar grinding
season in July and the election which
takes place on November /. or serious
political issues there are none, the
struggle being simply for office.