Evening star., 1924-10-31
by GEORGE c. BRIGGS.

time.
Interview Is Impressive.
The interview took place under
unconventional and somewhat ORA
matte circumstances. Gen. Machaoo
received the correspondent in the
bedchamber where he had been CON
fined by illness for several days and
secluded from the scores OF poll
ticians and men of affairs who visited
the picturesque mansion of Spanish
architecture in the Nedada seeking
to consult the leader on campaign
\ matters. 1t was made more impress
sive by the presence of Senior Carlos
La Rosa vice presidential candidate
with Gen. Machado on the Liberal
and popular ticket. Senior La Rosa's
participation gave the declaration of
the Liberal standard bearer deeper
significance as having the acqui-
escence of the man who is to be
second in command of the govern
ment if the approaching election
favors the Liberals.
In the hish-ceiined chamber,
lighted softly by the sunshine that
filtered through dark blue curtains
drawn across the shuttered windows,
Gen. Machado and Senior La Rosa
chatted for while informally about
the future of Cuba and the reforms
which an incoming administration
must guarantee to the people of
Cuba. Gen. Machado wore a dark
purple dressing gown, having arisen
from the sick bed to receive the
American interviewer. whom he
greeted graciously and with the pro-
found courtesy with which the Latin
American gentleman bids the stranger
welcome under his roof.
Machndo Imposing Figure.
This man, who may be the next
President of Cuba, is six-footer
smooth shaven. rugged of face and
with deep, sad eyes that are coal
black and piercing under heavy dark
brows. a heavy name of iron gray
hair and big shell-rimmed glasses
make his bearing more imposing.
Senior La Rosa, by contrast. is fair.
with clear blue eyes and white hair
and beard. Both men are large. and
Doth are CubanS who went through
the fierce struggle against Spain
lighting to help win the national indie
pendence, and who afterward won
their way to positions of power as
leaders in politics and as business
men conspicuous in the development
OF Cuba's resources and commerce
Gen. Machado prefaced the inter-
view with the declaration that he is
determined, if elected. to carry out
the policies of the present executive,
President Zayas
president Zayas has re-established
civil liberty in Cuba, and this alone
IS a sufficient reason for the Cuban
people to remember always the four
years of his government" Gen. Ma
cnado said in answer to question
CuDans should be grateful forever,
as they are at present, to DIR. Zayas"
Companion With MenocaI.
Thus the general replied to a query
that involved a comparison of the
present administration and that of
the former President, Mario G. Memo
CAL who is running for reelection on
the Conservative ticket and whose
last term, four years ago, found the
country beaten and bankrupt after a
riot OF extravagances that has caused
that hectic period to be identified in
Cuban annals as the dance of the
millions"
There are still skeletons of unfin-
ished public buildings about Havana
that stand as gaunt monuments to
that era of frenzied spending of pub
lie funds. One structure begun and
abandoned when the crash came near
the end of Menocal's incumbency as
President was high school near the
center of the city. After being an
eyesore for years, it has been COM
pleted, or nearly SO, under the Zayas
government, and is destined to be re-
Sarded as one of the finer edifces Of
the capital.
Gen. Machado confined himself to
the question of President Zayas' rec
ord in office.
Lover of Liberty.
Whatever meaning the inquiry
may imply" he went on, "it does not
seem natural that I, who am called
upon to succeed DR.. Zayas in the ad-
n iS = of hio
find in him person whose ad-
ministrative work 1 should criti-
ciZe. 1 am a lover of that civil lib
erty to which L referred. 1t is GER
tainly my intention to follow the poll
icy of my predecessor"
The presidential candidate promised
frankly to answer a series of inter-
rogatories compiled with view to
determining his opinions on the ques-
tions of moment to Americans who
have vast interests in Cuba, to the
United States Government. which is
nightly concerned that those inter-
ests as well as life should be safe
guarded by a stable Cuban govern
ment. and to Cubans who are striv-
ing for healthier business and polit-
ical conditions. A QUESTIONABLE en-
bodying the inquiries with that in
tent was submitted to Gen. Machado.
He agreed to answer all the ques-
tlOnS Irdnkly, ana prOCeeQeQ TO go
about the undertaking at once. The
result was a manuscript finely penned
in Spanish on both sides of the gen
erals personal stationery.
Translated, the questions submitted
and the candidates answers thereto
are as follows:
Cordial to United States.
Q. will you state your feelings as
to the influence the United States is
having upon Cuba? Considering the
intimate relationship in which these
two republics stand geographically,
automatically and commercially, is
that influence uplifting or otherwise? :?
Is the relationship mutually benefl-
cial?"
A. "In my program Of government
which I made public as soon as the
Liberal party proclaimed me their
candidate this question is clearly an
swered. I am certain. for the rest.
that our relations with the United
States, which is a great country, will
see during the next four years abso-
Lutte cordiality of reciprocal advan-
tage. 1t Is my great desire that the
> Platt amendment be set aside as un-
necessary by both parties. This is the
resume of my thoughts, because de-
sire that the attitude of my govern
meat shall be such that 1t will never
give reason for the Americans to re-
call the amendment to our attentio4