The San Francisco call., 1898-09-24
WARMLY WELCOMED BY WOOD
AND THE POPULACE CHEERS
 THE VETERAN.
Tn Masterly Speech the Visitor Ex- presses His Undying Gratitude to the United
 States.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Sept. 23.-To the residents of Santiago yesterday was the most important day since the ca pitulation, since 1t was the occasion ol the first visit of General Calixto Garcia to Santiago since he left there Ill pao temper on July IT, At o'clock In the morning General Wood, with portion of General Lawton's staff and several American officers, met General Garcia outside the city limits and escorted hlm into the town.
 Garcia was accompanied by his staff and by his son, Colonel Calixto Garcla, by many Cuban officers who have re- gently come to Santiago and by zoo Cu- ban cavalry. The streets through Wnlcn the party passed were thronged With cheering people and 1t was estimated that 10000 persons filled the plaza In front of the palace, where Garcia dls- mounted. He was met at the door by General Lawton and an informal recep- tion by the American officers was helo in the audience room. At night another reception was rendered General Garcia at the San Carlos Club, which was filled with prominent Cubans, American officers and ladies. The plaza was bril- liantly lighted and decorated with nags and music was furnished by the band Of the Fifth Infantry. The Americans wore dress uniforms ana General GaI- cia and his officers wore white unl- forms and high boots.
 In reply to a speech of welcome deliv- cred by Senor Trujillo, editor or the Porvenir, General Garcia said:
 After thirty years Of desperate, deadly struggle the Cuban people to- day celebrate the success of their ef- forts It Is a day for the remembrance of the names and deeds of those heroes who fought and died for the freedom of Cuba from the year of 1ooS to lSiS, and for the remembrance of the heroes who fought in the war of 1881, which was called the little war-ltttle only because of its short duration, but great on account of the principles defended and for the quality Of the men who composed the army-and for the re- membrance of those noble soldiers who fell in the struggle which began in 1895, over whose graves our latest tears have fallen.
 People of Cuba, we owe a great debt to those heroes for their efforts in be- half of Cuban independence, efforts which would have been useless-no, not useless, for we would have triumphed, but not speedily effective-if the Amer ican people, with it's famous fighters, great ships and dauntless army, had not sent its own sons to shed their blood with ours. A grand nation 1t must be when the sons of America, who had nothing to gain in Cuba but sol- dier's glory, should come here to die side by side with Cubans. To this great nation-to this noble country which has always fought for the rights of liberty we owe the achievement of our inde- pendence and the consummation of our ideals. Our gratitude will long live for America"
 General Garcia's speech, which was delivered with considerable expression, aroused much enthusiasm among the Cubans present. General Garcia will remain in Santiago for several days as the guest of the Cubans of this city.