The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-21
Several Bands Played and the Cam
mons of Cabanas Belched a Gov
ernOr Generals Salute.
FORMAL VISIT TO BROOKE
WHO SURRENDERED HIS OFFICE TO
MAJOR GENERAL WOOD.
Latter Much Affected by the News OF
LawtOn's Death-Frauds i'm the
Havana Custom House.

HAVANA, Dec 2O.-Major General Leon
ard Wood, the new Governor General, ar
rived here at daybreak to-day on the
steamer Mexico, which left New York for
this port Dec 16 The steamer was gaily
decorated with flags. From Cabanas fort
ress a 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 pc
tards.
Civil Governor Nunez 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 Lacoste, deputa-
tion from the courts and every department
of the government.
General Wood was deeply affected upon
hearing of the death of General Lawton,
and unable to converse for several
minutes. Every launch in the harbor,
barges and rowboats were hired and deco
rated with bunting. Even big ferry boat,
with a band, was pressed into service.
Three bands played during the hour which
General Wood remained on the Mexico
after arrival. Then he boarded launch
supplied by the entertainment committee,
while salute of twenty-one rockets, each
having American or Cuban flags attached,
was fired. Much enthusiasm was mani
tested on every side A large crowd re-
ceived General Wood at Machina wharf.
ard upon lar9,..y thcre 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 Senator Quesada, special COM
missioner of Cuba at Washington, who
arrived on the steamer Mascotte, at the
same time that the new Governor General
arrived on the Mexico.
A CORDIAL WELCOME
The welcome given General Wood was,
according to all the old residents, without
parallel in the history of the island The
elaborate display of bunting in the harbor
| and the multitude of boats and bands
showed that the hastily-formed reception
committee had done excellent work. More
over. there was heartiness in the cheering
that was quite unusual. The battleship
Texas hoisted her flag to return the Mex
ico's 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 general to the shore Many
| Of the launches towed large and gaily dec
Grated boats.
During the morning there was a con-
slant stream Of callers at the Hotel Ingla-
| terra. where General Wood will remain
| until General Brooke's departure. During
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 governors salute
Of seventeen guns will be fired from Ca
banas. Governor Ludlow, accompanied by
his staff, visited General Wood by appoint
ment at 10 o'clock this morning. He was
Immediately followed by General Wilson
and his staff.
Accompanied by General Chaffee and
Lieutenant Brooks. General Wood called
upon General Brooke at noon, when the
governorship was officially transferred.
The retiring governor general will leave
for the United States on Saturday. re-
naming for some time in Tampa before
going north. The only additional formal
ceremony, prior to General Brookes de-
parture. will be the introduction to Cen
eral Wood of all the staff officers, secre-
taries and island officials of note.
COMMENT OF THE PRESS.
The local papers devote considerable
| space to the reception, declaring that Cen
eral 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
to ingratiate himself with the Cuban peo-
pie, because he declared that he had no in
tention to issue proclamation This is a
novelty which Cubans will keenly appre-
ciate. as it indicates that he means to rely
upon deeds rather than words. Cubans
will feel that no other American would be
received here with such heartfelt rejoic-
ing. Our people, of all shades of opinion.
will give him all the assistance in their
power
The Nuevo Pals believes that "a bright
future is about TO commence" and all the
| papers allude 10 the extraordinary num-
ber of representative men who partici-
| pated In the reception. Particular refer
ence is made to the presence of Gen. Maya
Rodriguez and the aids of Gen. Maxine
| Gomez.
Owing to illness General Gomez was not
| able to be present himself.
Before sunset General Wood returned