New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-26
PALMA AT HIS BIRTHPLACE
INCIDENTS OF HIS RETURN TO BAYAMo
SEES HIS SISTER AFTER
MANY YEARS.
Copyright. 1902: BY The Tribune AsSocia'lon'l
Ivy cARIE 70 TIE TRIRCNE.l

rBY CABLE TO TRIBUNEl
Ravarno Cuba April 25.-Generai Palma, &C
companied by two thousand mounted men, ar
rived here yesterday morning, after most
trying trip in a volante from Holguin, dls-
tance of sixty miles Bayamo, the scene OF the
first Presidents birth. gave its long absent son
a warm welcome. The town has a popuiauoh
OF six thousand, and every one who could walk
participated in the celebration. a sister Oh
General Palma still lives here. and the TWO i''e'
to-day for the first time in about thirty years
They fell into each others arms when they me.
and cried like children. General Palma spent
the entire day at his sisters home. orcers nav
ing been issued that no one should disturb h'ii'
In the evening he attended for few minutes
bail given in his honor
The start for Bayamo from Holguin was MADE
ar sunrise on Tuesday General Palma rode In
a volante which is a two wheeled buggy, WIN
high wheels and long shafts. The same VENICE
which is now the property or Dr. Nihceh'e
Gomez was used by ex-President CleVeialiu
while In Cuba several years ago, and also pS
the Princess Eulalie
The others OF the party which is growing
with every STOP followed on horses ana IN
wagons. Fifty of the Rural Guard acteu as
escort
The trip will live In the memories OF those
who made It, Two OF the incidents that MADE
forest fire and the crossing OF the river Cauto
ON horseback The fire was encountered sew
eraI miles from San Pedro, where breakfast was
taken at the house OF the Cuba Company, which
had furnished the means of transportation Inc
blaze had been caused by the suns rays so
a. good idea can be formed as TO the terrinc
heat that prevailed.
No one seemed less affected by it than Cen
eral Palma He is sunburned. but is in better
NnrL a q
Cauto the water was so high to make 1t Inn
possible to cross in the wagons. so every one
was compelled to mount. When General Palma
had got safely on the other side OF the raging
stream a mighty shout of Viva ell Presidente.
went up from his companions AT the same
time General Jesus Rabi. one of the fighters OF
the last revolution. leading about two hundred
veterans. galloped up and greeted the Presi-
dent-elect.
Now the future of Cuba is clear!' exclaimed
General Rabi. Generals Lora, Capote and
Velasquez were with him.
The night was spent at a farmers hut about
twenty miles from here in a place almost en-
tirely isolated. The escorting party was aug
mented at several points along the line until
il looked like a reunion of the revolutionary
army. BY the time Bayamo was reached there
were two thousand mounted men in line which
made a picturesque scene The reception by the
people was a repetition of those at Holguin
and Gibara. and more demonstrative at
Bayamo The people appreciative Of the
honor that has been done the town by the cleo
ton of one of its citizens as Cubas first Presi-
dent. Arches had been erected. which have such
inscriptions ''Bayamo TO Her Illustrious
Son" One of them was built by the Spanish
residents, which bore the words: The Spanish
Colony to the President of Cuba" General
Palma stopped the procession, shook hands
with the Spanish resident before whose house
the arch stood, and had the band play the ma
tional anthem of Spain
At midnight the little town, generally asleep
at o'clock, lively with music and fire
works. and there were still heard loud cheers
for General Palma. The latter. tired out by
the long trip and ordeal of the day. retired
early. He is staying in the house where he was
born. 1t is a large, roomy, story dwelling
house, built on the typical Spanish-Amerlcan
style.
An important conference was held to-day be-
tween President-elect Palma and several gem
erals who participated in the late insurrection
The meeting was held at the request of the
President-elect to obtain the views of former
Cuban soldiers the question Of pay for their
services Those who attended were Generals
Rabi, Lora Salcedo and Capote. representing
the Province of Santiago. which was the pivotal
point Of the rebellion. This was the first op-
portunity General Palma had for personally
gauging the sentiment Of these people on this
question, which will be Of considerable i'm
portance. The result of the consultation was
entirely satisfactory to the President-elect, all
the conferrees acquiescing in the plans outlined
by him. He is opposed TO paying the army I'M
nediately. His proposition is to give first atten-
ton TO the agriculture of the island. BY foster
ing this industry. he argues. viii be obtained
Cuba and the Platt amendment provide that the
budget and interest OF the insular debt must
first be taken care Of from loan that Will be
negotiated
General Palma said that 1t must first be de
ternned who is really entitled to be paid
which means overhaulng of the rolls. The
amount now asked is about $50, ZOO. which is
considered far too much. II is believed that
1500oOO will suffice to settle all legitimate
claims Perhaps two years will be required to
settle In full. The Presdent-elect also proposes
to have the government take care of those who
Were crippled in invalids result
of the war, Provision will be made for widows.
The question of pensions will not be favorably
| received.
The body of General Palma's mother, buried
by him thirty-two years ago near the Cauto
River was removed to this city to-day, and Will
| be reinterred here tomorrow. 1t was placed in
a coffin and brought in by two hundred neigh
bors of the President-elect. all mounted The
village priest headed the long procession which
| received IL Behind walked General Palma,
Senior Ouesada and five hundred citizens. all
with barred heads It was particularly solemn
ceremony and the Presdent-elect was as grief
stricken as if his mother had died yesterday.
Mass was sung in the same little church which
he attended when a boy
Yesterday afternoon at Manzanilo the Ameri-
can flag was hauled down and the Cuban flag
hoisted in its stead. The American post was