The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-04-22
CUBA WELCOMED PALMA,
PRESIDENT, WHO LEFT IN CHAINS,
RETURNED A HERO.
The Patriots Came from All Parts OF the
Island to Pay Homage TO a Man
They Love,

New York. April ol.-Gcncral T Estrada
Palma, president.elect Of the Cuban re.
public who arrived on the steamer Ad-
miral Farragut from Old Point Comfort,
Va, was greeted, says a Gibarn, Cuba, dis
patch to the Tribune, with great enthust-
assn. Gibara's population of Goo0 was
augmented by as many more who came
from all parts OF the island from Havana
to Santiago to pay homage to man they
love. During the voyage the weather was
magnificent and General Palma's forcbod-
ings OF scaslckuess were not realized.
When the steamer anchored IN Gihnra
harbor sulute Of twenty one guns greeted
General Palma. His face frightened at the
scene before him How different was the
return TO Cuba! lie left In chains ANA
came back with his path literally strcWn
with roses. The harbor was Il KALEIDOSCOPE
OF color and animation. From every craft
flew the nag OF Cuba lihrc and the stars
and stripes. Old friends who had known
General Palma In the ten years war aud
mad shared with him the hardships Hni
suferings Of many campaigns came ON
board and embraced him. Many were in
tears The vessel was soon crowded with
members of committees representing diner
ent cities, who came out In steamers ana
launches which were decorated from stem
TO stern from the mast to the waterlinc.
After quarter Of au hour Of informal tax
General Palma and his party were taken
ashore in II launch. IT was when he put
his foot on the pier that the pentup en-
thusasm Of his compatriois broke forth ia
earnest. There were rounds of cheers by
the natives as they crowded around their
president elect, which could have beeH
heard clear across the bay. Mayor Cespe
dcs spoke n few words OF welcome and
then proposed three cheers for the FIRST
president OF the Cuban republic" They
were given with n will. with the village
band playing tho Cuban hymn the process
sion was formed TO tho principal streets
whence the president elect and the mem
hers Of the committee were drawn In q
carriage 10y score of stalWart Cubnns
TO the city hall Every place of vantage
! along the route was hlled. Men, women
and children crowded and pushed to en-
4 brace and shake the hands Of the veteran
/ Arches had been butt across evory street
/ which led In the city hall. Not house
! in all Glbara was without decoration in
| some form. From ever home few the flag
! Of Cuba. and from almost many were
| displayed the Tag Of the United yates.
while the rcd and yellow colors Of Spain
were conspicuous on tho spanish houses.
! The Spaniards joined in thu Welcome. Gar
/ lands OF roses AMI palms hgured prominent
| ly in the decorations procession, headed
! by detachmen Of the Tenth United states
! cavalry. commanded hy Lieutenant Hart.
] made m IF local civic societies. school chill
Z drcn and women. proceeded with the Palma
party IL the city halt and then lined M
on each side Ia allow mis- carriage 10 pass,
I Every woman and girl WIS armed with
small bouquets which they threw into the
carriage
/ beuEfal rama Edt WIN Ufffp Htdnt now
ing In response 90 the cheers He was
deeply affected by the demonstration The
ceremonies AT the city han consIHed nj
/ experimenting nv the mayor members nj
the council General Palma and Gonzales Dc
Qucsad1 Mayor CPsnedes spoke elequenty
of the gratitude thDt the fnhan people
owed 70 General Palma and the honor ri
being the FIRST to receive tho first CHIEF OK
ecutiye If Cuba lihre Hts country men, hf
said trusted General Palma Implicitly ant
would aid him IN every way toward sue
1 rfrtN udf mi ~ ruf a
General Palms in responding, spoke WITH
some dihicuty. as he Was almost over
come by the reception given him He he
gan by proposing cheers for cuba libre snr
for the United states. He said the CubIr
people should with The Inauguration NJ
their independent government abandon
politics and give their attention 10 the bet
ierment and reconstruction 81 their coun
try II was his ambition 10 hiring rhc vart
GUS clements together 50 that they may NJ
work 10 one end building m of Cuba
He promised to devote hencefonh an BIZ
time knowledge and energy 20 bringing
, about this result