The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-31
TILE CUBAN JUNTA.
MEN At HEAD OF THE ALiERi-
CAN END.
Delicate Duties Imposed m -iom-
President Palma Has show Remark
able ssgAcity and Has Bee. ne known
as the Cuban Franklin.

The Cuban Junia. with rs head
quarters 10 New York, represents the
legation Of the Cuban republic abroad.
and the head Of the iunta. "a Il Is
called. Is r Estrada Palma. Properly
speaking he Is the delegate. and with
members Of bis ministerial and diplo-
matte household constitutes the dele
CATION Of the Cuban republic.
The term "lunta' has been applied
because such body or council was
attached 20 the diplomatic department
Of Cuba during the ten years war.
As the authority OF the iunta fire.
quently restricted the action Of the
delegate the promoters Of the present
revolution decided 10 eliminate Il. yet
the name remains. and Il used and
accepted 10 designate Mr. Palma and
his associates.
This iunta. as the representatives
OF the Cuban republic acts Oh high
authority. for the delegation was APP
pointed on Sept 10. 1895. by the con-
stItuent assembly that formed the gov
eminent and commissioned Maxine
Gomez chief commander Of the Cuban
army Al the same time II made Mr.
Palma delegate and Cuban representa-
tive abroad. with authority 10 appoint
ministers 10 all governments and 10
have control Of all Of Cuba's diplo-
matte relations and representatives
throughout the world Besides this,
Mr Palma Is the duly accredited min
lister from Cuba 10 the United States,
and IN the event Of the Cuban repub-
lie being recognized would be received
as such.
Under bis authority Mr.. Palma has
appointed sub-delegates or diplomatic
agents, In France. Italy Mexico. and
the Central and South American re-
publlcs Cuba's independence not be-
ing Acknowledged by these nations.
her ministers are not officially recog-
nlzed. but are often unofiicially re-
celyed NJ the back door" and exert
an influence for the benefit Of Cuba
In the countries for which they are
appointed. Mr.. Palma Is In reality the
head of the Cuban revolutionary party
abroad. which Is one Of three depart
ments Of the Cuban revolutionary gov
eminent, the two others being tho
civil government and the army ~ lib
Grafton. This Cuban revolutionary
branch was founded by Jose MART
who Is regarded by Cubans a. the
apostle and master mind Of the Cuban
revolution. Mr.. Palma Ia not only the
head and front Of the iunta. but he II
the one person In whom lts authority
Il centered. lie was born In Cuba
about sixty years ago, and In his
youth imbibed the spirit OF liberty for
the island a spirit which grew with
him until II influenced his every word
and act. and finally received his entire
devotion. So direct. gentle. yet de-
termined are his methods. and 80 un'
assuming and plain Is he In speech
and manner that he soon became
known AZ the Cuban Franklin" and
more firmly has the name become at
tached 10 him since the potent inhu
ence OF bis diplomacy has been fel'
throughout the world During the Ter
years war Mr. Palma was president OF
/ the Cuban republic, was made pris
oner by Spanish troops ard sent q
Spain where be- was imprisoned unit
/ the close ~ the conflict While In
/ Spain. absolutely suffering under the
hardship Of imprisonment be- was Of
fered freedom II he would swear al'
legiance 10 the Spanish crown 80"
was his answer. "Yol may shoot M
| n YOU will. but II am shot 70 VIII b'
as the president Of the Cuban rcpub
| llc."
Besides Mr. Palma, the only mem
Der ~ the delegation appointed bJ
the Cuban government are. DR.. J0a
qnin D. Castillo. the sub-del'gate,
BENJAMIN ]. Guerra, treasurer u th,
republic abroad. and GOnzalo De Que
sada. charge dafalrs At Washington
/ Doctor Castillo IL vice delegate anC
would take Mr. Palma's place In cast
Of his death or inability 10 act. BE
fore entering actively into the Cubar
revolution he was a surgeon In IN,
United States navy and was aboard th'
cutter Rodgers on her northern eype
dition to the relief Of the Jeanette
Ne was leading physician In Cuba
and wrote a treatise on yellow fevo
that gained for him the title Of mem
Der Of the Academy Of Science In la
yana. When the present revolution
broke out Doctor Castillo was cp
pointed surgeon general Of the Cubai
army. with the title Of brlgadler gener
al He was at,erward transferred {,
hls present post In the United States