The Portland daily press., 1900-08-27
GEN. WOOD AT SANTIAGO.
Future Of Cuba Discussed BY Htms eli
and Citizens.

and Citizens.
Santiago de Cuba, August g6.-Gover-
nor General Wood was officially BAN
quetted last night by the Republican
and Democratic parties. The civil gov
ernor, the archbishop of Cuba, the princi-
pal judicial and civil dignitaries and
hundred representative merchants were
present
The archbishop in the course of his re-
marks, said the time had arrived for
peace and that he believed a consolida-
tion OF political parties would be of
greater benefit to Cuba in the future,
than house divided against Itself. He
said he was happy to greet the people
of the United States in the person OF
Gen. Wood. Senior Tamayo, secretary
Of state, in a foroible speech. said:
'This is one Of the most Important
epochs in the political history of Cuba.
A constitutional convention, where
the fundamental law of the land is to
be framed, is about to be 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 to prove that Cuba is a
land open to all men not only to those
who are Cubans by the accident Of
birth or who participated IN the revolu-
tion, but also those who can claim the
privilege under the treaty of Paris.
'This is a moment when political con-
tentions should be set aside. The issue is
national. Cuba Is about to obtain what
three generations bled for; ana, il the
constitutional convention is not what
It should be the noble dead VIII 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 deeper 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 El Caney and on San Juan Hill.
"Gen Wood Is the true friend of Cuba,
and can certify to it. The United
States government is sincere in the
promises it has made. I appeal to you ali
to send to the convention the best and
most capable men among US and thus
to show to the world that Cubans are
worthy of the confidence placed in their
capacity for self government"
Gov. General Wood on rising, was
greeted with shouts Of appreciation and
"ViYas'' which were taken up by some
three thousand people assembled outside
the club house on the Parque de Cespe-
des. He spoke, IN part, as follows:
II am here as your friend and IN no
other capacity. Only those who remem-
Der the ten years war can have as full
knowledge of the conditions of this
province as have myself. When I first
saw EI Caney matters were in a most de-
pIorable condition. The road to Santi-
ago was marked with dead and dying.
In the improvement one sees every
where we have q proof of the friendly
interest shown by the American people.
Everybody IN the United States was
astonished at the satisfactory way IN
which the municipal elections passed off.
President Mckinley personally asserted
that he thought the time for the next
step had come. Whatever the ultimate
destiny OF Cuba may be. It's Immediate
future is independence. This is no
political move on the part of the Unit
ed States, but a sincere desire TO do what
is right. Therefore, I beg you as per-
sonal favor, to me, and to the United
States government to sink political
differences and passions and to send
men to the convention who are re-
nowned for honor and capacity, so that
the convention may learn more than the
Cubans even now ANTICIPATED
The Cuban flag was raised over the
palace by Gen. Woods permission today,
thousands of Cubans witnessing the
ceremony. Later in the afternoon the
American, Cuban and Spanish arms
were fastened together in decorations
at the princicaus theatre, when Gen.
Wood was present. This was the first
time the Spanish arms has been exhibited
since evacuation.