13 The Republic of Cuba 



quorum in either branch of Congress. This first 

 became manifest when the President asked for a 

 loan of $15,000,000.00 with which to continue 

 work suspended in the streets of Havana for lack 

 of funds in the treasury. 



Days passed into weeks with Congress still 

 refusing to meet. In this emergency, Menocal 

 called Dr. Alfredo Zayas, ex-Vice-President of 

 Cuba and leader of a large group of the Liberal 

 party. After listening to the President's state- 

 ment of the facts, and realizing the actual neces- 

 sity for action, he sent word to his followers in 

 Congress that a quorum must be formed, and the 

 loan authorized at once, since the welfare of the 

 country demanded it. Congress met, and in 

 spite of the opposition, offered by what is known 

 as the "Miguelista" branch of the Liberals, the 

 bill was passed by a good majority. 



In the matter of national budget, also, the 

 Conservative Administration was sorely perplexed 

 and embarrassed by the attitude of Congress 

 whose members simply ignored the urgent 

 demand for action. Again Dr. Zayas rose to 

 the occasion and compelled the opposition to 

 act favorably which they immediately proceeded 

 to do by passing the first budget bill that had 

 been enacted in four years. 



The Liberal leader has been severely criticized 

 by members of his own party and was accused of 

 selling out to the Conservatives. In the estima- 

 tion of thinking people, however, he is given 

 credit for a sensible and truly patriotic attitude 

 from which the country at large has benefitted 

 and which undoubtedly places him in the category 

 of statesmen who have both foresight and ability. 



In the selection of his Cabinet, all of which, 

 with one exception, were men of his own choice, 



