Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-27
GOV. WOOD BANQUETTED
BY Republican and Democratic Parties al
Santiago de Cuba.

Santiago, De Cuba, Aug. 26.-GoVern
or General Wood was officially ban
quoted, last night. by the Republican
and Democratic parties. The civil gov
ernor, the archbishop of Cuba, the
principal judicial and civil dignataries
and 100 representative merchants We're
present.
The archbishop, in the course Of his
remarks. said the time had arrived for
peace and that he believed cOnsolida-
ton of political parties would be of
greater benefit to cuba in the future
than a house divided against itself. He
said he was happy to greet the people
OF the United States in the person II
General Wood.
Senior Tamay0, secretary Of state, in
a forcible speech. said:
This is one of the most important
epochs in the political history Of cuba.
A constitutional convention where tine
fundamental law of the land is to hc
framed. is about TO H., formed. In that
convention the people of Cuba are to
prove themselves capable Of construct
ing a government of guaranteeing life
and property and Of preserving order.
They are also t. prove that cuba
l. q itt4l'i Dfti ~ al l44'-lls iltA t4iiy -
those who are Cubans by the accident
Of birth or who participated in the
revolution, but also those who can
claim the privilege under the treaty Of
Paris.
This is n moment when political
contentious should be set aside Tho
issue if national. cuba is about to Oh
tain what three generations bled for:
and, if the constitutional convention l.;
not what il should be the noble dead
will rise to demand that blood shall
not have been shed in vain. The curse
OF the mothers. wives and daughters
Of those who fell would be upon Us.
We should bear in mind that the sea of
the tears of Cuban women is far deep
er than the sea which bathes our island
shores.
IF we fail in this convention we shall
be unworthy of the blood that was
shed at FL Caney and on San Juan hill
General Wood is the true friend of
cuba; and l can certify to it, The
The United States government is sin
cere in the promises it has made. |
appeal to YOU all to send to the con
vention the best and most capable men
among US and thus show to the world
that Cubans are worthy of the conf
dence placed in them for self-govern-
merit"
Gov. Gen Wood, on rising, was
greeted with shouts of appreciation and
"NivaS" which We're taken up by some
5000 people assembled outside the club
house on the Parque De Cespedes. H"
spoke in part as follows:
Il am here as your friend, and in no
other capacity. Only those who re-
member the 10 years war can have
as full knowledge of the conditions OF
this province as | have myself. When
| first saw FL Caney, matters Were in
most deplorable condition. The road
to Santiago was marked with dead and
dying. In the important everywhere
we have proof of the friendly interest
shown by the American people
Everybody in the United State
was astonished at the satisfactory way
in which the municipal election passed
off. President Mckinley personally as
serted that he thought the time for the
next step had come. Whatever the Ill
innate destiny of Cuba may be. its
immediate future is independence.
This is no political move on the part
sire to do what is right. Therefore, !
beg you as personal favor to me and
TO the United States government to
sink your political difference and pas
sions and to send men to the conven-
ton who are renowned for honor an
capacity. so that the convention may
mean more than the Cubans even now
anticipate"
The Cuban flag was raised over the
palace by Gen Woods permission, to
day, thousands of Cubans witnessing
the ceremony
Later in the afternoon. the Ameri-
can, Cuban. Spanish arms were fast
ened together in decorations at the
principal theatre, where Gen. Wool
was present. This was the first time
the Spanish arms have been exhibited
since the evacuation.