THE 

 CUBA REVIEW ^.„ 



NEW YORK 



"ALL ABOUT CUBA." botanical 



oakden. 



Copyright, 1907, by the Munson Steamship Line. 



Volume Vn. JANUARY, 1909. Number 2 



POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENT MATTERS. 



Plans for the Inauguration — The Provisional Government Ends on January 28 at 

 Noon — The Quorum Decree Opposed. 



Plans for the ending of the provisional government and the other details coincident 

 with President Gomez's inauguration on January 28, arrangements for which were agreed 

 upon at a conference between President Roosevelt, Secretary Wright and Gov. Miagoon, 

 were officially set forth at Washington Dec. 26. 



The War Department promptly cabled Gov. Magoon authority to call the new Cuban 

 Congress together for organization. 



The Governor accordingly issued a decree Jan. 4, convokmg Congress at noon on 

 January 13 for effecting a permanent organization and approving the election of each r 

 its members. On January 20 Congress will meet again in joint session, pass on the 

 election of the President and Vice-President and proclaim them. It will then take a 

 recess until January 28, at noon, when Governor Magoon will turn over the government. 



Orders have been given for the United States army and naval forces convenient t 

 take part in the ceremonies attending the re-establishment of the Cuban republic. Re; 

 Admiral Arnold's squadron of the Atlantic fleet, with the battleship Maine as flags' 

 has been ordered to Havana for the occasion. 



According to present plans, Gov. Magoon and all the officials of the exis 

 visional government will embark on the army transport Sumner, leaving Havana 

 28, for Hampton Roads. 



Governor Magoon's decree on Jan. 4 providing for a Congressional _ qu 

 excited much angry comment in the Cuban press. The decree in part insi 

 majority of each House shall be a quorum, although for special legislation \ 

 augurate any regular period two-thirds of the total number of the members of ey 

 shall be required. . / 



Members may not absent themselves without permission nor can the H 

 such permission to more than one-sixth of its members. Absentees will not l^, 

 pay vouchers must have certificates of attendance. In the absence of a <1"0, ^^^?- 

 must be called and absent members recorded. A majority of those prese'A^^p" 

 the attendance of the absentees and summon them by special messenger. Th ^*^^ 

 at the prevention of the paralyzing delays injurious to business so familiar d "^ 



dent Raima's administration by reason of the lack of a quorum. _ La Lucha 

 decree is contrary to the dignity of Congress, and with La Discusion advises ii 

 at the first session of the Cuban Congress. Others say this is impracticable . 

 the decree was issued with the approval of the President of the United States a 

 necessary under the Piatt amendment as a measure tending to insure the stability 01 

 Cuban Government and cannot be repealed. Aurelio Hevia, secretary of the Conservai 

 party, asserts that the decree is a trespass on Cuba's sovereign rights, and that the Cuban 

 Congress alone can dictate its own rules. 



It is pointed out also that the enforced presence of members at the sessions 

 of the house is provided for in the platform of Gen. Gomez, the Presidentof Cuba, 

 who himself advocated the same principles regarding a quorum, which is a part 

 of the Governor's decree. 



