The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-27

AIchDasnOp OF tuDn SAID mt the san
tiago Gathering That the Political
Parties should De Consolidated.
Secretary of State Begged That the
Best Men May BE Sent to the Con-
stitutionaI Convention-Gen. Wood
Made the Same Request
Santiago de Cuba, Aug. 26.-Gov. Gen.
Wood was officially banquetted last night
by the Republican and Democratic par
ties The civil governor, the Archbishop
of Cuba, the principal judicial and civil
dignitaries and a hundred representative
merchants were present
The Archbishop, in his remarks, said
the time had arrived for peace, and that
he believed a consolidation of political
parties would be of greater benefit to
Cuba in the future than a house divided
against itself.
Senor Tamayo. Secretary of State, in
most important epochs in the political
history of Cuba A constitutional con-
vention. where the fundamental law of
the land is to be framed. is about to be
held. In that convention the people of
Cuba are, to prove themselves capable of
constructing government. of guarantee
ing life and property and of preserving
order. They are also to prove that Cuba
Is land open to all men. not only to
those who are Cubans by accident OF
birth, or who participated in the revolu-
ton, but also those who can claim the
ho Tgar
This is a moment when political con-
tentions should be set aside. If we fail
in this convention we shall be unworthy
of the blood that was shed at Ell Caney
and on San Juan Hill. Gen. Wood is the
true friend of Cuba, and | can certify TO
1t. The United States government is sin
cere in the promises it has made / ap-
peal to you all to send to the convention
the best and most capable men among us,
and thus show to the world that Gu
bans are worthy of the confidence placed
in their capacity for self government"
Gen. Woods Speech.
Gov. Gen. Wood, on rising was greeted
with shouts of appreciation and "vivas,"
which were taken up by some 5000 peo-
pie assembled outside the club house. He
spoke in part as follows:
Il 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 l first
saw El Caney matters were in a most de-
plorable condition. The road to Santiago
was marked with dead and dying. In the
Improvement one sees everywhere we
have a proof of the friendly interest
shown by the American people
Everybody in the Tn tel States was
astonished at the satisfactory way in
winch the municiDal ect ons pass a off
President Mckinley personally asser: ed
that he thought the time for the next
sep had come. Whatever the ultimate
destiny of Cuba may be. it's imme diate
fLlu is Independence. This Is rosroNt-
ical move on the pa t of the United
States, but a sincere desire to do what
is right. Therefore. l leg of you as a per-
sonal favor to me ana to the United
States government 10 si1k your political
differences ard passions and to send men
to the convention who are renowned for
honor and caracity. so that the conven-
ton may mean more than the Cubans
even now anticipate.
Send the Best Men.
Again l say, send the best men The
work before your repres natives is large
ly legal work. l caIe not what your par
ty politics are but whatever they are,
for the present Iary considerations must
be suspended for the sake cf the lreat
end in view the end that will make his
tory and affect the wei are of all Cuban
peoo'e."
Your delegates must be competent
10 draft constitution, and 1t is a duty
you owe yourse.ves and your fellow pa
triots to see That your representation is
without parry preju ice. Bear In mind
that no constitution which does not pro
vide for stable government will be ac-
cep;ed by the Uni ell States ! wish to
AVOID making Cur into a second Hayti,
al hough / don't think that POSSIBLE.
You want liberty for all and for 70
particular party. The United Safes in
sis that you shall have It, This is pos
siole, and easily possible. We have sa d
1t to the world. Ii lies with you to help
US make our word coed. Your enemios
pre3ict failure. The people of the United
States and their representatives hope to
see you defeat these predictions. If we
wee not your friends we would not seek
the best men you have, but would seek
the disturber and the malcontent to rep
resent you in the convention. We Sc
and demand the best you have. Again /
say. send people to the convention who
will hereafter make your political sys-
tsm workable and permanent"
Gen. Woods speech is considered by
Cubans here 10 be the most important
declaration made since the American oc-
cupation began.