Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-14
.CROWDER FEARFUL
'0F future IN CUBA
Finds Electoral Board and
/ Courts Failed to Function
in Limit.
BY the Associated Press.

HAVANA, January 13.-Maj. Gen
Enoch crowder. special representative
of President Wilson. investigating
conditions in Cuba, in a statement
given out last night, after referring
to the failure of the electoral board
and courts to function within the pre-.
Scribed limit. declared:
IF these agencies continue to fail
Cuba, in due course of time, will be
confronted with ad interim provincial
and national administrations, and
after the first Monday in April next
with a total paralysis of the legisla-
tive power
His statement follows:
LAS President Menocal has so force
fully stated in his admirable letter to
the central electoral board. the urg-
ency of the present electoral situation
lies in the fact that already, through
the failure of the electoral boards
and courts to function within the pre-
scribed time limit, we have an ad in
terim or provision municipal admin
istration in a majority of the munich
pal districts of Cuba.
F0rexees Total Paralysis.
IF these agencies continue to fail
Cuba, in due course, will be confront
ed with ad interim provincial and ma
tional miniStrations. and. after the
first Monday in April next. with a
total paralysis of the legislative pow
or. due to the fact that on that date
one-half of the seats of the congress
will become vacant.
The electoral boards have func-
toned and posted their provisional
returns. What is lacking is the ac-
ton of the Cuban judiciary on the
contested election cases, of which
there are a great number.
What has been accomplished thus
far at the instance of the president
is the patriotic cooperation of the
supreme court and central electoral
tions and regulations. and the pa
triotic cooperation of political par
aieS in the waving of certain provi-
sionS of the legal procedure of Cuba J.;
all of which means a most expeditions
procedure for the courts in deciding
these numerous appealed cases.
The electoral code of Cuba makes
a special appeal to the judiciary of
Cuba in such situation as now
exists. 1t should be the attitude of
every one to assume that the Cuban
courts will meet that situation and
discharge their full responsibility.
They have the mandatory duty of de-
creeing the nullity of the elections in
any college or colleges for any of the
causes.
The courts will not be at all OBJ
structed by technicalities. The evil
dence is to be admitted and its pro-
bative value left to the determination
of the courts.
Having taken this distinct s\ep
forward. we must now await the re-
suits before the six audiencias and the
supreme court. Meanwhile / shall
give my attention to other matters
connected it'll my mission to Cuba.
Menocal Makes Suggestion.
President Menocal has submitted a
long list of recommendations to the
central electoral board for the pur-
pose of speeding up decisions on cleo
ton appeals.
The president points out that the
powers of the board under the cleo
toral law gives instructions for the
efficacious handling Of the election
machinery and declares the necessity
of quick decisions with regard to the
successful candidates in order that
the country shall not find itself With
out government. -: -