Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-04
Cuba's First President.

Much interest, not only IN tnlS coun-
try but all over the world, will center
in the man who has been called to the
presidency Of Cuba. AS the first head
Of the young republic a difficult task
Is upon his shoulders. and upon his
manner of discharging it will depend
in great degree the future of Cuba.
To begin with, nobody expects the
first president of Cuba to be a George
Washington. The island hasn't the
George Washington kind Of material
But there is a general feeling that a.
wise choice has been made and that
Tomas Estrada Palma is a safe and
well equipped man for the position. It
VIII be wonder if the papers do not
insist on making him Thomas r.
Palmer" but that isn't his way of
writing il. In everything but his
name however. he is pretty well
Americanized as he has resided in this
country practically all the time since
1889.
MS ItSiutltt III tiilS country mas
not been for personal ends or wholly
from choice but az the head of the
Cuban junta working with tireless
energy for Cuban freedom. In this
capacity he has probably done more TO
rid Cuba Of Spanish rule than any
Cuban general in the field though his
ha
election by such an overwhelming ma
iority shows that the Cuban people
nave fun faith in him and appreciate
his great services for them. 1t is in a
way an acknowledgement Of Cubas
debt to the United States.
Palma was born in Bayamo, Cuba,
md studied law at the University of
Savilie. but never practiced. as he
early took part in the Cuban revolu-
tons. During the early part Of the
ten year r"volution of 1<sS-'7S his
mother Wa captured by the Spanish.
tortured i'll treated and starved to
death This would cause the heart Of
y
with devotion to the cause Of freedom.
and hatred Of Spanish rule. if anything
would. His mother was wealthy, and
by her death her son inherited a large
estate, but it was confiscated by the
spanish. Later he became president
Of the insurgcnt republic, but was
captured in 1877 and imprisoned until
hostilities ceased in 1878. He then
went to- Honduras. became teacher
and was later postmaster-genera
While living there he married the
daughter of President GuardioIa. In
1888 he came to this country and set
tied at Central Valley, n. Y. where he
has ever since resided. and where four
Of his five children have been born. His
oldest son is now student in Column
bia. As the chief representative in this
country of the Cuban insurgents, he
has mingled much with our public men
and his mcdesty has been as marked
as the patriotism which has led him to
devote over 80 years to the cause Of his
oppressed island.
He is said to be a cultivated and ac-
complished gentleman. as able diplo-
mat as ne was brave a soldier in his
youth That he is most friendly to
this country. goes without saying. Yet
he is Cuban patriot. through and
H.
ought to. to the interests of his people.
The Cuban electoral system closely
follows that of the United States.
The Cuban voters on Tuesday did
not cast their ballots direct for
Senior Palma. They voted for Presi-
dental electors in each province
representatives that that province
had In the Cuban Congress. These
electors will meet on Feb. Is for
the approval Of their credentials.
ana on Feb. - they will assemble
again and proceed tn vote formally
for president and vice-president.
the returns will be forwarded under
sea; to Governor General Wood in Ha
vana. and the governors general will
then proceed to announce the date for
the assembling Of the Cuban Congress.
and the proclamation of the president
and vice-president. As soon as the
congress is organized and the president
and vice-presidcnt have taken their
SEATS. Governor General Wood will
formally transfer the government Of
the island to the new Cuban admins
tration The stars and stripes will
come down from the public buildings
and the fortresses at Havana, San
tiago. Cienfuegos and Matanzas. and
the colors of free Cuba will go up in
their place. Then Governor-Genera
Wood. his associates and the few re-
manning regiments of the American
garrison will depart, and our solemn