The Washington weekly post., 1900-01-02
Radical Change of Sentiment
Toward United States.
DOUBT AND SUSPICION DISAPPEAR
The New Year Ushered in by a Procession
Through tine City, the Band Playing the
Cuban National Air and 1.-THE STIR span
sied Banner''-salufary Eject oil Gov.
Gen. Woods Acties ;n Calling Tosether a
Council Of Prominent Cubans.

Havana, Jan. 1.-The new year was
ushered in with a torchlight procession,
which. forming just before midnight. and
preceded by band, left the lower Prado
ana made the circuit of the principal
streets Almost the only tune played
was the Cuban national hymn. Every
body seemed to be awake and awaiting
the advent Of 1900. The strains of the
popular hymn drew the people every
where to windows and doorways, and the
procession was greeted with the widest
enthusiasm. InnumeTable small boys
kept up fre-cracker fusillade along the
entire line of march All the prominent
Cuban generals were cheered, although
there Is no doubt that the vivas were
chiefly for Cuba Libre" President Nc
Kinley and Gov. Gen. Wood came in for
liberal share of popular applause
The procession having returned to the
Prade. and the band having once again
played the Cuban national hymn. some
Americans who were present called for
the Star -Spangled Banner" The band
Immediately complied, and the crowd
cheered Justify.
The Jockey Club races to-day were
largely attended. Cuban society was out
in force, a large number of persons being
in carriages. Havana virtually deserted
the Prado for the races.
Eighty per cent. of the American colony
was present, including Gen. Wood, Gen.
Lee, Gen. Chaffee. and Gen. Ludlow,
with their families The principal event
was the Officers and Club Members Cup
Handicap; three-quarters of a mile; five
starters, which was won, after a splendid
race, by Mr.. Guyol, the one-armed Eng
ha
HeaIy. on Hoomlah, by a length, and
beating Gen. Ludlow's horse AdiOs by
two lengths. The hurdle race, with ten
entries, was a capital contest.
First Cabinet Meeting To-day.
The newly appointed cabinet will hold
its first meeting tomorrow, when the
following secretaries will meet Gen.
Wood:
Secretary Of State OF Government-sENoR DIEGO
TAMAYO.
secretary OF Finarce-sENoR JOSE ENRIQUE
VARONA.
Secretary OF Justice-SENOR LUIS ESTEVEZ.
Secretary of Public WOrks-sENoR JOSE RAMON
VILLALON.
Secretary Of Education-SENoR JUAN HER
NANDEZ BARREIRo
Secretary of Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce
SENIOR Rus RIVERA
One of the secretaries, who displayed the
customary reticence of the best class of
CUbans in respect of giving their names
for publication in connection with inter
views, made the following statement to
the correspondent of the Associated Press
to-day:
"A wonderful change seems to have
come over the Cuban people during the
last few weeks. 1t would have been i'm
possible. on December l, 10 have aroused
the enthusiasm which was displayed last
night during the playing of 1.-THE Star
Spangled Banner" Such cheers as were
given for President Mckinley while the
procession was passing through the
streets could not have been raised for him
or for any other American month or SO
ago. The change in my opinion, is due
to a disappearance of that diStrustful
feeling which, during the greater part of
last year, had been gradually growing
among the Cuban people.
Causes of the Better Feeling.
president McKinley's message to Con-
gress was the first light the Cubans had
seen for long time. 1t came like the
sun after days of bad weather and gloom
Then followed the appointment of Gen
Wood, whom the Cubans have always ad-
mired in view of what he did in Santiago
the most difficult province to rule in the
island. Now, since his published remarks
on various occasions, and in consideration
Of the manner in which he has already
taken hold of affairs, the Cubans are not
only satisfied with him, but are begin
ming to love him.
In summoning a conference Of repre-
sentative CuDanS TO meet him, Gen. Wood
displays true craftsmanship. His step
shows that, though there are only six
q N hn
eral desires prominent Cubans to express
their views as to future administration
intending, so far as their suggestions are
practical, 10 carry these out, and also in
tending that those who attend the con-
ference should carry back TO their respec-
tive provinces a good working idea Of
Gen. Wood and the cahner. and be able
TO answer questions, 10 dispel fears and
doubts, and TO give assurances to the
people of the absolute good faith OF the
United States regarding Cuba Libra"
Trouble at Cienfuegos.
While Gems. MasO. Rabi, and Lara,
who are here TO attend Gen. Woods ccun-
ell OF representative Cubans, were pass
ing through Cienfuegos, they were es-
corted from the vessel 70 TIE hotel, where
a banquet was rendered them Mean
while, a large crowd OF colored people
had gathered to demand from the au-
thorities that the remains Of Dionisio Gil,
the colored brigadier general in the Gu
ban army, who mad been shot and killed
the previous day by tine police. after ne
had shot and wounded two policemen who
were in the act Of arrest,ny him, should
be eXhumed and buried with proper hon
ors. The demonstrators marched through
the town. unfurled black flag, and raised
Tiotous cries agains. the authorities. The
chief o. police was fired al five ZINES.
Gen. MasO and Mayor Aieman address
ed the crowd, which AT first would net
disperse. Eventually, however, the u0lice
succeeded in restoring order and calming