Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-10

Tasker Bliss. having practically turned
over the actual administration of the GUS
tom house, gives his personal attention to
other preparations Major Chauncey Baker,
in the midst Of auctions for the disposal Of
government property, and the other incl
dents of military departure. which fall to
the quartermaster department, yet finds
time to supervise the arrangement Of the
government buildings.
1t Is only when they are being vacated
for new tenants that the extent and variety
| of the state property, which comes to in
| dependent Cuba as an Inheritance from
Spain, Is appreciated. Spain always built
soiidIy and literally. Besides the fort
resses and prisons there are many fine gov
eminent buildings. The palace. which is
the white house, because the governor gen.
eral lived there, and the president will live
there. is in itself an ample building. There
are other fine structures many more than
are necessary for a modest republic. After
these edifices had been cleansed from the
accumulated filth of centuries, the Ameri-
can officials found them delightful, both for
residences and for offices. To give them up
adds a pang to the regret which most Of
them feel in leaving Cuba.
At this time all these structures are being
renovated and decorated After while the
Cuban government may rent some of them
This will be cheaper than maintaining them
as public buildings which are not needed.
Beyond the outward preparations for the
new government in the way of decoration
and arches and palm avenues and bunting
in the program, officially the turning over
of the government Is determined by Gen
Wood as military governor, and 1t is likely
that he himself will raise the Cuban flag
on the palace at noon on May 20. The pop
ular demonstrations are in the hands of
the city council assisted by various volun-
teer committees. They have planned a
public receDtion to Gen. Wood and the
American officials as a sign of gratitude to
the American people. This comes two days
before the Inauguration of the new govern
ment. Then will be the placing of a crown
in the laurel bitches In Cabana, where Wey-
Ter used to execute the Cuban insurgents.
Afterward are the festivities, lasting sever
al days, which include public banquet on
the Prado, when everybody who is hungry,
and there are likely to be a good many
hungry people. is to be fed.
To an American, accustomed to seeing the
inauguration of the President Of a great
republic and all the events connected there
with begun and concluded in a single day,
the festivals for the Cuban republic seem
to spread over good deal Of time But
that Is Latin custom. week where in
the north a day suffices. The actual festiv-
tiles, while they may cost more than Ha-
vana can afford, are not very extravagant.
Bunting and flowers and foliage are not ex-
pensive in the tropics.
Instructions of the Bishop.
One feature of the festivities which /
have heard commented on is the instruc-
lions of the bishop of Havana and Santiago
The old Spanish bishop who was here when
the american cOHtrOl was assumed tried TO
adapt himself to the new conditions but
he could not do it. Though he had opposed
Weyler's cruelties he was not Cuban in
his sentiments. After he returned to Spain
there was a period of fierce clerical politics,
in which radical Cuban element demand
ed that the Catholic Church be thoroughly
CubaniZed. 1t wanted to name the bishop
Archbishop Chapelle, accomplished diplo-
mat as he was, did not thoroughly recon
ellie all the hostile factions, but gradually
10 rin hoe a,.I ~
ciericals read with interest and without
their usual denunciations the instructions
of the bishop that wherever the president
arrives the church bells shall be rung and
the parish priests shall celebrate mass
There are also special services for the day
of the Inauguration and the subsequent
days. All this marks change. In the old
times the church would not have permitted
the bells to be, rung to welcome the re-
public
The Protestant missions which have been
set up in Havana also are going to take
part In the demonstration.
Mr.. Palma Will be In Havana ten days
before he becomes the actual president of
Cuba. This will be the most trying period
OF his life In his career as revolutianist
he has left troubled periods behind him
Looking forward to his term as an execu-.l
tive he may see the troubles which must be
met by the head Of any nation, big or small
dependent or independent But the actual
worry will be in those ten DAVIS from Nav
10 to May 20 This will test his ability to
handle men more fully than it has yet been
tested.
President PaIma's Speeches.
Thus far he has done well. That is the
universal testimony. Those who have been
taking his measure are more than satisfied
with the results Of his trip through the
Island. That journey was what In the
United States would be called good poll
ties. II he can meet the conditions In
Havana in q way to win the verdict that
he knows how to play good politics. here,
where all the trouble for his administra-
fion VIII be brewed, the future will be
fairly clear fer him. The Independence he