New Britain herald., 1925-05-20
FIRST MASON AS
 CUBA'S PRESIDENT
Machado'S Family Long Promi-
 neht in Independence Movement

Havana, Cuba, May 20, tAP)-- General Gerardo Machado y Morales fifth president of Cuba and the first Mason 10 be elected to that position. who takes the oath of office today, comes of faplily known for its sac riflces in the course of Cuban inde- nendence. His recent election was a landslide for the liberals. and also the first time the nations next presi- dent could be predicted with cer- tainty by midnight of election day. For the first. time election day was practically free from disturbances Gerardo Machado was born in Villaclara, capital of the province of Las Villas, now Santa Clara, Septem- Der 29, 1873. His father. Colonel Gerardo Machado y Castellon, mar ricd Lutgarda Morales Both of them were devoted to the ideal of Cuban independence,
 The father saw his son on rare occasions when child, because he was in arms against the Spanish CO., lonial rulers, But. in exchange, he stantly heard his mothers patriotic propaganda, for on her had devolved all the duties of the home where the separatist movement was daily preached.
 Fought Against Spain At 22
 At 22 years of age, young Macha' do was In the field against Spain. He joined the revolution of 1895, and took part in many combats, display. ing in all of them extraordinar! courage and coolness. He won tho title of general and enjoyed an en- viable reputation among the Cubar army of liberation.
 The war ended, General Machadt resumed his business activities, fol an ideal, and afterward become { private citizen without asking or ex pecting any reward. In the organi zation Of the first rural guard, h
 was appointed lieutenant colone with headquarters at Santa Clara. post which he resigned on beini elected mayor of Villaclara. Gen eral Machada, "a far-sighted states
 man, accepted all the doctrine , preached by Jose Marti, and labore' 10 reestablish cordiality between al the inhabitants Of his province. He devoted himself to commerce the breeding Of cattle, and the cul tivation of sugar cane. He neve , abandoned politics, believing tha every citizen should contribute wit his work and his vote to the gov ernment Of the country. The liber . als, in 1908, chose him candidat
 for the governorship of Santa Clara 5 but the party became divided, an 5 he lost by 17 votes.
 : In that same year General Ma l chado laborod for the triumph ( General Jose Miguel Gomez, the lii
 oral presidential candidate, ant
 when the latter was elected, he ar
 pointed Machado briGadier,gen
 and second chief Of the Cuba
 standing army, creating afterwar'
 for his special benefit, the office (
 inspector general of the arme
 forces Of the republic.
 Secretary of Interior
 - President Gomez then appointe :: Machado secretary of the interior n post which he held for two year l. solving many difficult problem h among which was the negro rebe
 lion.
 The racial question led him to IT y sign the sccretaryship and devo = himself to organizing a great n' l. tural party. which he deemed nece .r sary at that critical period of the r ,t public's history. The liberal uniol
 ist party was the result. In 19'
 many Of his follower. were elect' II 10 congress and provincial goverl y, ment offices. he being the unsu VI cessfuI candidate for governor of Il IL province Of Havana.
 Ie When the liberals became rcuU' y cd in 1916, General Machado | 1T bored especially for the success IS the vice. presidential candidat II Colonel Mendieta. supported T. O9stes Fcrrara and other uncond l. tional partisans Of General Gom' le After the election, disastrous re far as the liberals were concerne n- General Machado was invited 10 ri n. up in arms against the Governmei n but the troops failed him, and
 had 10 start the movement wi ty prominent civilians of Santa Clar
 among whom was Mendez Pena