M E N O C A L 



pointed to organize the Lighthouse Ser- 

 vice, a post which he held for a short time, 

 but gave up to undertake an engineering 

 commission of considerable importance and 

 extent, namely, constructing for the Cuban 

 American Sugar Company the factory at 

 Chaparra, then said to be the largest sugar 

 factory in the world. This task General 

 Menocal fulfilled with credit and distinction. 

 Meantime the growth of his reputation 

 had brought him within the field of politics. 

 In 1908 he was nominated for the Presi- 

 dency by the Conservative party but failed 

 of election; in 19 12 he was again a candi- 

 date and was elected President of the Re- 

 public on the ticket of the same party. 

 President Menocal's first term was charac- 

 terized by a constructive policy including 

 the following practical proposals: 



(1) Administrative and financial re- 

 forms. 



(2) Strengthening the relations with the 

 United States. 



(3) Strict regulation of the Public 

 Treasury, liquidation and adjustment of 

 all outstanding indebtedness, and reor- 



AND MONOGRAPHS 



