defeat, the latter withdrew on the day of the election, alleging all manner of fraud and unfairness on the part of the Nationals.  It is useless to follow in detail the history of Cuba’s political parties since that time.  In the election of 1905, the former National party appeared as the Liberal party, supporting Jose Miguel Gomez, while its opponents appeared as the Moderate party, supporting Estrada Palma who, first elected on what he declared to be a non-partisan basis, had definitely affiliated himself with the so-called Moderates.  The election was a game of political crookedness on both sides, and the Liberals withdrew on election day.  The result was the revolution of 1906.  The Liberals split into factions, not yet harmonized, and the Moderate party became the Conservative party.  By the fusion of some of the Liberal groups, that party carried the election of 1908, held under American auspices.  A renewal of internal disorders, a quarrel among leaders, and much discontent with their administrative methods, resulted in the defeat of the Liberals in the campaign of 1912 and in the election of General Mario Menocal, the head of the Conservative ticket, and the present incumbent.

A fair presentation of political conditions in Cuba is exceedingly difficult, or rather it is difficult so to present them that they will be fairly understood.  I have always regarded the establishment of the Cuban Republic in 1902 as premature, though probably unavoidable.  A few years of experience with an autonomous government under American auspices, civil and not military, as a prologue to full independence, might have been the wiser course, but such a plan seemed impossible.  The Cubans in the field had forced from Spain concessions that were satisfactory to many.  Whether they could have forced more than that, without the physical assistance given by the United States, is perhaps doubtful.  The matter might have been determined by the grant of the belligerent rights for which they repeatedly appealed to the United States.  At no time in the entire experience did they ask for intervention.  That came as the result of a combination of American wrath and American sympathy, and more in the interest of the United States than because of concern for the Cubans.  But, their victory won and Spain expelled, the triumphant Cubans naturally desired immediate enjoyment of the fruits of victory.  They desired to exercise the independence for which they had fought.  Many protests and not a few threats of trouble attended even the brief period of American occupation.  There was, moreover, an acute political issue in the United States.  The peace and order declared as the purpose of American intervention had been established.  The amendment to the Joint Resolution of April 20, 1898, disclaimed “any disposition or intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over said Island except for the pacification thereof,” etc.  The island was pacified.  The amendment asserted,