Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-21
WOOD ARRIVES AT HAVANA
New Governor General Given Royal Recep-
tion by All Glasses
CIVIL GOVERNOR FIRST TO GREET HIM
wood Deeply Affected by News of
General Lnwton's Denth-CnIIs Mt
Palace and Received by
General brooke.

HAVANA, Dec 2O.-Major General Leon
ard Wood, the new governor general, ar
rived here at daybreak today on the steamer
Mexico, which left New York for this port
December 16. The steamer was gaily deco
rated with flags. From Cabanas fortress
major generals salute of thirteen guns was
fired and the Cubans from the punta fired
a governor generals salute OF twenty-one
guns by the explosion of petards.
Civil Governor Nuncz was the first man
after the pilot TO board the Mexico. He
was accompanied by Commissioner of Gus
toms Bliss, Generals Chaffee, Richards and
Humphreys, Mayor La Coste a deputation
from the courts and every department of the
government
General Wood was deeply affected upon
hearing of the death of General Lawton and
was unable to converse for several minutes.
Every launch in the harbor. barges, row.
boats, were hired and decorated with bunt-
ing. Even a big ferry boat, with band,
was pressed into service Three bands
played during the hour which General Wood
remained on the Mexico after it's arrival,
when he boarded a launch supplied by the
entertainment committee while salute of
twenty-one rockets, each having American
or Cuban flags attached was fired. Much
enthusiasm was manifested on every side.
A large crowd received General Wood at
Machina wharf and upon landing there he
was greeted with hearty cheers. He was
then driven to the Hotel Inglaterra.
No reception was given to General Wood
on shore, as the committee thought to do
this might show a want of proper respect
for General Brooke, the retiring governor
general.
One of the first callers on General Wood
was Senor Quesada, special commissioner
of Cuba at Washington, who arrived on the
steamer Mascotte at the same time that
the new governor general arrived on the
Mexico.
General Wood called at the palace at
noon and was received by General Brooke.
welcome without Parallel.
The welcome given General Wood this
morning on entering Havana was, according
to all the old residents, without parallel in
the history of the island. The elaborate dis
play of bunting in the harbor and the many
bands showed that the hastily formed recep
ton committee had done excellent work.
Moreover, there was a heartiness in the
cheering that was quite unusual.
The battleship Texas hosted its flag to re-
turn the Mexicos salute, and a number OF
bands played continuously around the
steamer so long as General Wood remained
on board.
Very beautiful was the display made by
the procession of launches which escorted
the new governor to the shore. Many of the
launches towed large and galy decorated
boats.
During the morning there was constant |
stream of callers at the Hotel. Inglaterra,
where General Wood will remain until Gen
eral Brookes departure. The next few days |
General Wood will only attend to routine !
work at the palace. He is the recipient of
numerous invitations to stay at private |
houses, but has felt it wiser to remain at |
the hotel.
Next Saturday General Ludlow will give |
an official reception in honor of the new |
governor general and a governors salute |
of seventeen guns will be fired from Ca
banas.
General Ludlow Calls.
General Ludlow, accompanied by his staff
visited General Wood by appointment at 10 |
o'clock this morning. He was Immediately |
followed by General Wilson and staff.
Accompanied by General Chaffee and |
Lieutenant Brooks General Wood called on
General Brooke at noon, when the gov
officially transferred. The re-
firing governor general will leave for the
United States Saturday, remaining for
some time in Tampa before going further
north.
The only additional formal ceremony, prior
TO General Brookes departure will be the
to General Wood of all the staff
officers, secretaries and island officials of
note.
The papers devoted considerable space to
the reception. declaring that General Wood
is the most acceptable man who could have
been appointed to bring Cuba out of her
difficulties and into a quiet harbor.
The Lucha says: His first act is enough
10 engratiate himself with the Cuban peo-
1le, because he declared that he had no in
ention to issue proclamation. This is a
novelty which Cubans will keenly appreciate,
as it. indicates that he means to rely on
leeds rather than words. Cubans will feel
hat no other American would be received
lere with such heartfelt rejoicing. Our
1eople, of all shades of opinion, will give
lim all the assistance in their power"
The Neuvo Pals believes that bright
uture is about to commence" and all the
,apers allude to the extraordinary number
II representative men who participated in
he reception. Particular reference is made
o the presence of General Maya Rodriguez,
nd the aides of General Maxine Gomez
Owing to illness, General Gomez was not
bile TO be present himself
Before sunset General Wood returned
'aptain Sigsbee's call, receiving a salute of
eyenteen guns from the Texas