New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-27

GOOD EFFECT OF THE BANQUET AND
SPEECHES AT THE TACON THEATRE.
Havana. Feb 2G-Thc banquet at the Tacon
Theatre last evening proved a brilliantly sue
cessful aNai-. Governor-General Brooke and
Major General Lee spoke. Cubans generally re-
gard the occurrences at the function as the most
promising auguries of Cuban independence
since re peace protocol was signed. The the
atre was crowded to overhowng with specta-
tors and more than two hundred covers We're
laid for Il 2 banqueters Beside the Governor
General and General Lee, the company included
Major General Ludlow. General Chaffce. the
Governor Generals chief Of staff the staffs Of
Generals Lee and Ludlow. and other Army and
Navy officers. together with many prominent
/ citizens and Havana officials General Andrade
sat the right Of General Gomez and Mayor
! Lacoste on his left.
The boxes were filed with people representing
Havana's best society. AS the American gem
erals entered a trumpeter at the door blew once.
whereupon a concealed band played The star
Spaneled Banner" When the Cuban command
ers entered the trumpet was sounded twice and
the band played the Cuban hymn. Among the
speakers were Sehor Pedro Llorente Colonel
Carlos Garcia, Gualberto Gomez and Dr. La
nuza. Secretary Of the Department Of Justice.
y
independence for Cuba with euogy Of General
Gomez and assertions that he must never more
leave the island
The spectators called vociferously for a speech
from Major General Lee His remarks and
those Of General Brooke We're translated for
the benefit of the assembly by Seh0r Pablo
Desvernines. Secretary Of the Department Of
Finance. Both the American Generals repeated
former statements Of the military alministra-
uon, chiefly along the line Of assurance that
the United States intended to establish a stable
government in the island and then 20 deliver
it to the Cubans themselves. These assurances
were vocferously appauded.
Colonel Garcia explained the dsinterested
position Of American military officers in cuba.
General Gomez himself did not speak. owing to
the hoarseness from which he is suffering. Gen
eral Andrade expressed thanks on his behalf
adding in his name. that the banquet had done
much to bring the Cuban and American ee-
ments TO a clear understanding and 10 define
the position. work and aims OF the United
States military administration in Cuba. Cen
eral Gomez withdrew from the theatre about
midnight, The crowds in the streets appaudiag
him wildly as he emerged, and following his
carriage for blocks.
General Gomez who is much in need Of rest.
said last evening 10 friend: This popularity
Is killing me" Tomorrow ne will visit the
Governor General and hand him Il written re-
ply regarding some matters discussed at yes
tcrJays conference which private and
dealt. presumably. more with ways ana means
Of handling questions than with the questions
themselves lie will visit General Brooke as
business may require and the visits viii be-
informal unless General Gomez should desire
otherwise which is improbable.
This afternoon the PradO and Park were
crowded with merrymakcrs. ii being the last
Carnival Sunday. People wearing masks and
-four were everywhere. General
Gomez IN a four-hOrse drag with Miss Herrara
seated on his right, drove up and down the
Predo thrice and around the Park, followed by
crowds on foot and on horseback and greeted
w,h vivas and loud cheers. The drag was
covered with bright-colOred paper sireamers
and the Carnival license allowed the merry
,moi i,ars 10 throw -four upon the General.