The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-08-07
The Man Who Will Probably be
cuba's First President.

General Palma, who has had his
headquarters in New York for a
number of years, is dear to the Cuban
people, says the Washington cores
pondent of the Chicago Tribune.
He has promoted their interests for
many years past, and the freedom of
Cuba is largely due to his unselfsh
work.
During the last Cuban war he was
the president of the Cuban junta,
with headquarters in New York city.
In this position he came into posses
sion of great deal Of money intend
ed for use in the campaign against
Spain. General Palma was true to the
trust reposed in him, and notwith-
standing the fact that no restrictions
were placed upon him every dollar Of
the money was accounted for, and he
closed the transaction with clean
hands.
Just previous to and during the
Spanish American war General Palma
conducted the delicate diplomatic
negotiations which were necessary to
arrange the details of the agreement
between Cuba and the United States.
as to the future of Cuba when the
Spaniards were driven from the island.
In this respect he was the Ben Frank
lin of Cuba. and in the secret nego-
tiations which he was called upon to
conduct be acquitted himself admir-
ably, and not only retained the respect
of his own countrymen. but gained
that Of all Americans, who saw in him
broad-minded and noble man who
was devoted to the interests of free
Cuba.
Some idea of the courage of TIE man
who will probably be president of the
Cuban republic, and how devoted he
was to the cause Of the island, can be
gained from some incidents of his
career. During the ten years war
General Palma was captured by the
Spanish troops and sent to Spain.
where he was imprisoned until that
prolonged conflict, which devastated
the island and brought starvation
upon its people, was brought to a
close. While in Spain and suffering
the hardships of Imprisonment, he
Mias offered his freedom if he would
swear allegiance to the Spanish crown.
Mo- was his answer to this PROPOSE
ton, you may shoot me if you will,
but if I am shot it will be as the
secretary Of the Cuban republic: -
Another incident which demon
strated how thoroughly be sunk bis
own personality, and proved that he
was working exclusively for the vel
fare of his country, occurred when his
mother was captured by the Spanish
troops. General Palma. who was with
body of Cuban troops, received word
from the Spanish commandant Of a
town short distance from where he
was in camp that his mother would
be slowly starved to death.
This revolving barbarity was prac-
ticed because it was hoped by the
Spanish that General Palma would go
to the rescue of his mother, when ne
would be captured, put to death and
thus bring about an end to the revo-
luton, which was kept alive largely
by the efforts of General Palma. His
mother was actually starved to death,
! and this inhuman treatment made him
more determined that Cuba should
free itself from the Spanish yoke.
There was thrilling sequel to the
inhuman barbarity practiced by the
Spanish commandant. Soon after
General Palma's mother had beer
starved body of Cuban soldiers cap
tured the Spanish commandant who
1900 +bn orders of the Spanish