Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-18

name will inspire greater or more deserved
praise than that of Gonzalo de Quesada
| 1t does not detract from the merits of his
eager and energetic colleagues to say that
the interest of the United States in the af-
| fairs of wretched Cuba which eliminated
| finally in national indignation and horror
and war, was due more to Quesada than to
any other member of the Cuban party in
| the United States.
Young, handsome, graceful, polished, tall
ented and enthusiastic. he came to Wash
ington three years ago as the secretary to
afterward become charge d affaires, of the
legation OF the newly established republic
| of Cuba. His government to him was then,
| as 1t Is now, as true a government that
| OF the United States is to John Hay, and
he soon made his attractive personality
potent in its behalf. No one could meet
Quesada and believe that the Cuban pa
triots were the maddened mob of half
civilized anarchists that Spain and her
agents pictured. No one could talk with
him ten minutes without feeling certain of
| the justice of his cause. With rapier-like
thrusts of keen truth he punctured the ar
guments of the enemies of Cuban freedom,
| and day and night he worked, delicate
though he was and is, physically, in behalf
of 1t. His diplomacy was stranger to in
trigue; his representations, denied as they
were, were established truthful by the
abundant proof that followed such denais
and time on he began to realize
that his ceaseless efforts were to bring
forth his beloved people from the most mis-
| cradle existence ever known since the world
began.
An Eventful Career.
The personal career of such man cannot
fail to be interesting at this momentous
time. Mr.. Quesada has had an eventful
one. Born in Havana in December, 1868,
he was barely month old when the Cuban
revolution, known as the ten years war,
broke out. His parents were suspected of
sympathizing with the insurgents, and were
accordingly eXiled by the Spanish govern
pent. They came to the United States and
took up their residence in New York. The
boy began his studies in the public schools
of New York, and afterward graduated
from the College Of the City of New York
This was in 1888. He afterward took a
course at Columbia, and then entered the
law school Of the University of New York.
graduating with high honors in 1891 While
at the college he edited the bi-weekly col
lege journal, and was one of the editors
OF the Columbia Spectator. During the ses-
sions Of the pan-American congress in 1889
he was appointed secretary Of the Argen-
tine delegation, and at the conclusion of
the congress his valuable services were rec
ognized with an appointment in the foreign
Office at Buenos Ayres. While in that CITY
revolution broke out which threatened to
upset the existing government. Before j
truce was effected between the insurgents
and the government Mr.. Quesada was ex-
posed to great dangers. He volunteered his
services as parliamentary and constantly
passed to and fro in the streets where the
bullets were flying. His duties were per-
formed SO satisfactorily that the govern
ment complimented him, and the leaders
or the insurgents praised his valor. His
services were recognized by his appoint
ment as consul of Argentine to PhiladeI-
phia.
He Joins the Great Marti.
He held this place but a short time, re-
signing to join Jose Marti and begin the
work for the final stroke that should free
Nib ovrff
Argentine. Uruguay and Paraguay at New
York. and he also resigned. Ever since
that time Marti and Quesada worked to-
gether. They made splendid campaign,
resulting In uniting all Cubans living
abroad to cooperate with the patriots IN
rise against their despotic masters Dur
ing this period, full of trials and disau-.
pointments, the two devoted men proved
what untiring energy and perseverance
they possessed. They published a Cuban
weekly. "Patria," which is now the organ
or the Cuban revolutionary party, and BY
ITS means promulgated the principles Of
freedom In stirring sentences. Finally the
plans OF Quesada and Marti were matured
and then followed the uprising at Barre
and other places in Cuba.
Marti, who was the delegate or president
OF the Cuban revolutionary party went i'm
mediately to Cuba, leaving Mr.. Quesada,
VINO had al along been secretary Of the
party. in his place. When the news of
Martfs death was received all Cuban ex-
lies were Frustrated.
Declined q Great Honor.
The question was, who would take Martis |
place. An election was held and 1t develop
ed that the Cubans to a man favored Mr.
Quesada as Marti's successor, despite the
fact he was but twenty-five years old. Mr.
Quesada. however, declined the honor and |
Tomas Estrada Palma was chosen, this
patriotic and talented man being also Mr..
Quesadas choice.
The successive victories won by the in
surgents soon made the establishment of
provisional government necessary, AMI
one OF the first acts of the constitutional
assembly OF Cuba was to give Mr.. Que