The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-07-01
THINGS POLITICAL NOW INTERESTING.
 PEOPLE OF CUBA
Sugar Grinding Season Near Close.- Interest Revives
 In Presidency.

Havana, July With the approach of the close of the sugar-grinding sea- son, and the release from employment of many thousands of workers, inter est in the presidential campaign is beginning to command interest. By a tacit understanding between the lead CTS of the various factions, political activities during the grinding season were confined mainly to committee and conference work for the purpose of consolidating the two great nation al parties, the Conservatives, following President Menoca1, and the Liberals whose nominee is former vice-presi- dent Alfredo Zayas.
 So far neither of the parties appears to be organized, there being insurgent elements in both camps in addition to numerous groups of independents who are awaiting opportunities to make the best terms possible for their support of either side. Important among these is the following of former Governor Asbert of Havana Province whose ambition is to be governor again.
 The party favorable to the re-e1ec- ton of President Menocal comprises the great bulk of the Conservative par ty, backed by the power 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. It is probable however, that their adhesion will be gained.
 The Liberals continue greatly disor- ganized but strong efforts are being made by former president Jose Miguel 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 Zayas tick ct has decided to withdraw his resig- nation, is considered very encouraging for the cause of Liberal unity. Former President Gomez will probably man. age the Zayas campaign and will ac- cept Senatorship from his home pro- vince of Santa Clara. A great deal of confusion exists regarding the nomina- ton for the important position of Mayor of Havana there being half a dozen claimants including the present incumbent General Freyre de Andrade.
 The most important political action taken hitherto has been the passage
 
 Maza y Artola which provides that any President nominated for reelection shall cease to exercise the functions of his office sixty five days before the election. As the bill was only passed as whole, the various articles have yet to be debated so that it is matter of doubt whether the vice. president or the members of the cabinet shall be dn1a tad f0 1,4 President. The bill is Liberal mea- sure designed to put a curb on the power of the Administration during the Electoral Period. Although Law yers generally believe the bill to be unconstitutional it will shortly be pre- sented in the House of Representatives with apparently a good prospect of it's passage. Tn that event it is con- sidered certain that President Menocal will refuse to approve 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 leaders talk of appealing to Washington, claiming that without the protection of this law they have no assurance of a fair election espec- ia.Iy as it will be held in the, pres- 'ence of troops of the Regular Army, ostensibly to maintain order at the polls, but, as they claim, for the ob- ject of intimidating liberal voters. This has given rise to much loose and vio- lent talk as to what extreme of vio- lence the Liberals will proceed rather than be defrauded of the fruits of vic- tory to which, they say, their legiti- mate preponderance of voting strength entities them.
 Fl Mundo sounds an editorial warn ing of the urgent necessity that the elections shall be conducted without disorder or any suspicion of unfairness as essential to the avoidance of anoth- CT American intervention. It de clares that the electoral period marks the danger point in all Spanish Amer ican republics and recalls that of the four presidential elections held in Cu- ba, two, conducted under American supervision were marked by perfect tranquility. Of the other two, con- ducted under native administration, the first under President Palma, was turbulent, and was the precursor of the Revolution of August, 1906, and the latter, under President Gomez, was attended by disorders that were only prevented from becoming serious by the presence of the troops.