New-York tribune., 1902-04-21
PALMA LANDS IN CUBA.
VEL COINED WITH ENIHUSI-
ASH AT GLBARA.
PLEASANT VOYAGE FROM OLD POINT
COMFORT-SOME EXPECTED
APPOINTMENTS.
APPOINTMENTS.
[BY CABLE TO THE TRII UNE.l

GBY TO THE TRII UNE-1
Gibara April 2O.-General Tomas Estrada
Palma President-elect of the Cuban Republic.
arrived here to-day the steamer Admiral
Farragut from Old Point Comfort, Va, being
greeted on his return to his native country with
great enthusiasm. It is no exaggeration to say
that this little Santiago out in full force to
welcome its first President. Its population of
| six thousand was augmented by many more
who from all parts of the island. from
Havana to Santiago, to pay homage to man
they loved. The voyage from Old Point Com
fort took just three days. The weather was
magnificent and the during the entire pass
sage was as calm could be desired. General
| Palma enjoyed it greatly, and his fcrehodings
| of seasickness not realized. The efforts
| Of Captain Hopkins to make record run were
fully successful, and yesterday he overlook
| four other steamers which had several miles
| handicap much to the qualification of his dis
| tinguished passenger. 1t might be interesting
| to quote the last words spoken by General
Palma leaving American soil, as it empha-
lied the great love that he has for his home
and family. With tears in his eyes. he had just
bade his son joss farewell board the steam
er and as she was leaving her moorngs he
shouted to R. A c. Smith. who had charge Of
the arrangements for his trip. Take care of my
boyl"
AS the Virginia coast became less and less
visible he said, with words full of sadness:
This country has been my home for twenty
years. and regret TO leave. but my people have
called me- and my duty is there"
THE ARRIVAL AT GIBARA.
The generals entire time the vessel was
given to rest and preparation. This morning re
was one of the first deck. and as early as
O'Clock he was busy writing to his wife. at Cen
trail Valley N Y. He then made ready to go
TraI
! in his honor when the steamer had come to
anchor. General Palma. standing at the rail,
said to The Tribune correspondent
THE last time / saw this place thrty-five
years ago. when I was taken away from this
very port by the Spaniards, a prisoner of war
Then his face frightened at the scene that was
now before him. How different was his return
to Cubai He left IN chains and came back with
| his path literally strewn with roses. The har-
! Dor was q Kaleidoscope of color and animation.
From every craft flew the flag of Cuba Libre
and the Stars and Stripes Old friends who had
! known General Palma in the Ten Years War
and had shared with him the hardships and
sufferings of many campaigns came on board
and embraced him. Many in tears. The
vessel was crowded with members of COM
Inttees representing different cities. who came
out in steamers and launches which deco
rated from stem TO stern, from the mast to the
waterline. After 2 quarter of hour of in
formal talk General Palma and his party were
taken ashore in a steam launch. 1t when
. he put his foot the pier that the pent up
enthusiasm of his compatriots broke forth in
earnest There were rounds of cheers by the
natives Of Gibara as they crowded around their
President-elect which could have been heard
clear across the bay Mayor Cespedes spoke a
few words of welcome and then proposed Three
cheers for the first President Of the Cuban Re
! icfn Tbev wit sin
certy that should have removed all doubts, il
any existed, of General Pama's popularity.
: CEREMONIES AT THE CITY HALL.
With the village band playing the Cuban
| hymn. procession was formed to the principal
! street whence the President-elect and members
| Of the committee drawn in carriage by
score of stalwart Cubans to the city hall. Every
place of vantage along the route was taken up.
| Men, women and children crowded and pushed
! to embrace and shake the hands of the veteran.
Arches had been built across every street which
| led to the city hall Not house in all Gibara
was without decoration in some form. From
every one flew the flag of Cuba, and from almost
as many were displayed the flag Of the United
States while the red and yellow colors of Spain
were conspicuous on the Spanish houses. The
Spaniards joined in the welcome Garlands Of
roses and palms figured prominently in the
| decorations All in all it was the greatest cele-
bration that Gibara has ever known. process
sion headed by detachment Of the 10th Regf-
ment United States Cavalry commanded by
Lieutenant Hart, and made UP of local civic
! societies. school children and women, proceeded
with the Palma party to the city hall and then
! lined up on either side to allow his carriage to
| pass Every and girl armed with
! small bouquets which they threw into the car
rage.
{ General Palma sat with barred head, bowling in
! res r,onse to the cheers which greeted him from
all sides He pleased and deeply affected
hv the demonstration. The ceremonies at the
! City Hall consisted of speechmakng by
/ the Mayor members of the Council, General
! palma and Sehor Gonzales De Quesada Mayor
Cespedes spoke eloquenty Of the gratitude that
the Cuhan people owed to General Palma, and
the honor of being the first to receive the first
chief Executive of Cuba Libre. His country
mon he said trusted General Palma implicitly
and would aid him in every way toward
! cessful administration of his office.
/ General Palma, in responding. spoke with some
/ dif1culty as he was almost overcome by the
reception given him. AS he was about to begin
his speech there was a shower of flowers from
enthusiastic black eyed senoritas. He began by
proposing cheers for Cuba Libre and for the
limited States He said the Cuban people should
ernment abandon politics. and give their atten-
ton to the betterment and reconstruction Of
their country 1t was his ambition to bring the
various elements together that they may
all work to one end. the building up of Cuba.
He nrouised fo devote henceforth all his time
tim hupn1