The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-07-03
AFFAIRS WARMING UP
POLITICALLY IN CUBA

of the close of the sugar grinding
season. and the release from employ
ment of many thousands of workers,
interest in the presidential campaign
is beginning to command interest. By
tacit understanding between the
| leaders of the various factions, politi-
cal activities during the grinding sea-
son were confined mainly to commit
tee and conference work for the pur-
pose of consolidating the two great
national parties, the conservatives,
following President Menocal, and the
liberals, whose nominee is former Vice
President Alfredo Zayas.
SO far neither of me parties ap-
pears to be organized, there being in
surgent elements in both camps in
addition to numerous groups of inde-
pendents who are awaiting opportuni-
| ties to make the best terms possible
for their support of either side. I'm
portant among these is the following
of former Governor Asbert of Havana
province whose ambition is to be gov
ernor again,
The party favorable TO the re-elec-
| ton of President Menocal comprises
the great bulk of the conservative
party, backed by the cover of the ad-
ministratiOn, but in Santa Clara and
Oriente provinces there are insurgent
groups who profess to object on prin-
ciple to a second term. 1t is prob
able, however, that their adhesion will
be gained.
The liberals continue greatly disOr-
ganized but strong efforts are being
made by former president Jose Migual
Gomez, Juan Gualberto Gomez, Ores
tes Ferrara and other influential men
to consolidate all the factions in sup
port of DR.. Zayas. Reports that DR..
Mendieta who resigned from the vice
presidential place on the Xayas ticket
has decided to withdraw his resigna-
! ton, is considered very encouraging
for the cause of liberal unity. Former
President Gomez will probably man
age the Zayas campaign and will ac-
cept a senatorship from his home pro-
vince of Santa Clara. A great deal
of confusion exists regarding the nom
ination for the Important position of
mayor of Havana, there being half a
dozen claimants including the pres
ent incumbent, Generai Freyre de An
drade.
The most important political action
taken hitherto has been the passage
by the senate of the bill of Senator
Maza Artola which provides that
any president nominated for re-elec-
ton shall cease to exercise the func-
tions of his office siXiy-fve days be-
| fore the election. AS the bill was only
passed as a whole, the various arti-
cles have yet to be debated so that ii
is a matter of doubt whether the vice
president or the members of the cab
/ met shall be delegated to assume the
duties of the president. The bill is
liberal measure designed to put a
curb on the power of the administra-
! ton during the electoral priod. Al
though lawyers generally believe the
| bill to be unconstitutional it will
chD Drt1 hn in 10 If
representatives with apparently a
good prospect of its passage. In that
event it is considered certain that
President Menocal will refuse to ap-
prove it when the liberals say that
they can rely on a sufficient number
of votes to pass it over the veto.
Should the veto stand the liberal lead
ers talk Of appealing to Washington,
claiming that without the protection
of this law they have no assurance of
a fair election, especially as it will be
held in the presence of troops of the
regular army, ostensibly to maintain
order at the polls, but, as they claim,
for the object Of intimidating liberal
voters. This has given rise to much
loose and violent talk as to what eX-
treme of violence the liberals will pro
ceed rather than be defrauded of the
fruits of victory to which, they say,
their legitimate preponderance of
voting strength entities them.
Ell Mundo sounds an editorial warn
ing of the urgent necessity that the
elections shall be conducted without
disorder or any suspicion of unfair
ness as essential to rne avoidance of
another American Intervention. 1t de
/ IrnlIIlIn Fn7Flll IN