Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-09
FLAGRANT M|SRULE
CHARGED IN CUBA
People Declared on Verge of
Revolt Against President
Machado's Regime.
CONTINUED From First Page.)

Added to these are economic problems
that have aggravated the situation and
that are so closely allied TO the politi-
cal aspect as to make 1t difficult to de-
termine which Is the more acute, or
which Is the cause and which the ef-
feet.
Perhaps the Cuban people would
not have arrived at their present state
of dissatisfaction with the dictatorial
methods of the Machado government
had it not been for the economic crisis
resulting from q decade Of low sugar
prices. On the other hand, it is pos
siblc that the errors Of omission and
commission charged against the govern
ment might not have been committed
under less calamitous circumstances.
Be this as it may, the fact remains
that the Cuban people are practically
unanimous in their dissatisfaction
with and adherence Of the Machado
administration.
Severe indictments of the government
may be heard on every hand in spite
of the danger, real and personal, that
their voicing involves. Charges Of ex-
travagance with public funds derived
from exorbitant taxation and from
foreign loans. negotiated at usurious
rates are made. The capitol building.
not yet completed after an expenditure
approximating $4,000. 900. is pointed to
as an example.
Graft Charges Made.
Accusations Of graft in high quarters,
while difficult to prove, are given color,
it is commended. by luxurious living on
the part of some government oficials
during a period Of financial stress that
for the last few years has limited every
one else in Cuba to have the bare neces-
stiles of decorous existence.
Government interference with COM
merce and industry Is another COM
plant made, probably because of the
failure of administrative crop restriction
and export sales as established by Pres
ident Machado 10 increase the price Of
sugar.
Assumption Of the high justice, the
middle and the low, by the the execu-
tive, in direct violation of the Cuban
constitution, is another accusation
brought against Gen. Machado, and
this arraignment has been put into
legal form by such eminent jurists as
Cosme de La Torriente, former president
Of the League Of Nations and former
Ambassador to the United States;
Ricardo DolZ, former chairman of the
Senate; Ramon Zaydin, former speaker
OF the House of Representatives: Al
fredo Zayas, former President of the
Republic; General Mario Menocal, for
mer President, and Enrique Jose Varona,
dean Of the Cuban legal profession and
patriot emeritus.
See Democracy Dead.
These men and hundreds of thou
sands Of less prominent citizens belong
ing TO all three of the political parties
insist that democracy has been a dead
letter in Cuba since 1928, when a bloc
Of Congressman passed a law prohibit
ing the reorganization of political par
ties, thereby perpetuating themselves in
the control Of nominations for elective
Offices.
BY this method President Machado
gained absolute control of all parties
and of Congress. and unless he is over
thrown by force, he will be able to
retain this control indefinitely. In
past elections he was the sole nominee
of all three parties, winning without
competition. He also staged refer
endum by which certain amendments
were made to the constitution. 1t Is
held, however, that despite every ef-
these amendments are unconstitutional
due to defects in procedure.
One amendment heightened Presi-
dent Machado's present term Of office
two years. Another abolished the Of
fice Of Vice President, thereby disposing
of the incumbent, Carlos de la Rosa,
who is not "yes-man." Another
amendment created federal district,
thereby ,disenfranchising the voters Of
the City of Havana with regard to their
municipal affairs. II so happens that
Havana voters disregarded Machados
wishes by electing Miguel Mariana
Gomez to the mayoralty four years ago.
New Elections Opposed.
In the opinion of large majority
Of the Cuban people, Gen. Machado is
not the legal President, but "de facto"
usurper of the governmental functions
This is the reason given for the popu-
lar objection to the holding OF further
elections November /. as it Is feared
a continuance of apparently constitu-
tional functions viii serve to strengthen
the hold Machado and his supporters
have taken on the republic.
It is on the holding of these elections
that formerly divided opposition to the
Machado administration has finally
been brought to head, presenting an
almost unanimous protest from citizens
Of every political creed. The authori-
xation by Congress Of the suspension Of