New-York tribune., 1902-03-26
CUBAN REPUBLICS BIRTHDAY.
THE ISLAND TO BE TURNED OVER TO THE GOVERN
MENT OF ITS PEOPLE on NAY co.
FAITH KEPT WITH CUBA,
GENERAL PALMA PAYS A HIGH TRIB-
UTE To THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT.

GOV EkNMENI.
Washington. March 25-Tomas Estrada
Palma. President-elect Of Cuba. paid this trih-
ute to the government of the United States to-
night:
The government of the United states has
shown n beautiful example of good
faith in dealing with "a weak government
which IL undertook to from its Op-
pressors. 1t has demon Struted it's generosity
and patriotism. and ny the shedding OF its
own blood has helped Cuba to break the
chain which united it with Spain. some
countries would hnve sought some PreteNt
for selfish gain i'm undertaking n work "f
this character. and taken advantage OF some
technicaltty for their own aSgrandizcment.
hut the contrary spirit has been mnnifesteh
nv the United States. and 1t has given to the
world evidence of goodwill seldom found
The people of the United states have remem-
bered their Declaration Indepen-
dence. and have fuIRIIed II duty mankind
GENERAL PALMAS PLANS.
Having finished his conferences with Presi-
dent Roosevelt Secretary Root and other Off
ciaIs on matters connected with the transfer of
cuba from American to Cuban control. General
Palma left this city at midnight for his New
York home, where he viii remain until the last
Of April when he Will leave New-York for Santt-
ago Province. in which he will spend few days
going thence 10 Havana 10 be inaugurated on
May 20. There was an air Of contentment about
General Palma tonight as he discussed the dis
position Of the various questions which brought
him here He said he realized the magnitude Of
the work which he was about 10 enter and its
attendant responsibilities. but was confident
that the future of cuba was assured and that
the island would have successful career.
II viii enter upon my duties as President Of
Cuba" said General Palma confident in the
belief that there is splendid future i'm store for
the island. The people are naturally Of an or
derly. peaceable disposition, mild hammered and
submissive 70 law and to order. What they
need is the opportunity to work and. with this
assured. prosperity will come to the people. Sec
retary Root said to to-day that he is satisfied
with the conduct Of the Cuban people since the
American occupation. and that he had no COM
plant to make in that regard The people are
dignfed, and will respect law and order The
condition Of affairs is very different now from
what il under the Spanish regime. when the
people We're under the rule and subject to the
will Of captain general and the military
authorities.
TNAUGURATION AND AFTERWARD.
The ceremoniSs incident 10 my Inauguration
will ne in keeping with the requirements Of the
occasion, one IT these will he the lowering Of
the American colors in Havana and the raising
of the Cuban hag-an act which will mark the
termination of American occupation and the
formal assumption Of the government by the
Cubans. These ceremonies will take place in
the Palace. Closely following the induction of
the new government will he the appointment
Of a minister to represent il at Washington. As
this has been done and a representative
appointed from the United States to Cuba. steps
Will be- taken for the drafting Of a treaty be
tween the two governments embodyiug the feat
ures outlined in the Plat amendment. which has
been made appendix to our constitution. This
viii include provision for a naval station. prob
ably at Guantanamo. although this is not set
tied, and the establishment Of cOalng stations
at points To be mutually agreed upon"
The orders given to General Wood contem-
plate tn" retention Of about eight hundred ar
ullerymcn at various coast points for a time
was suggested to General Palma
CONSENT TO RETENTION OF TROOPS
Those arttIlerymen are to be kept al the bat
teries with the consent of the Cuban Govern
ment," replied General Palma. They are not
to interfere in any way with Cuban affairs.
They viii he retained until the Cuban Govern
ment is ready to replace them with a force Of
its men. The latter now has about three
hundred men who have been drilled in artillery
practice. and To these il Is contemplated adding
about one hundred more. As soon as they are
sufficiently familiar with the duties that Will
devolve upon them they will take the places Of
the Americans. The Americans then presuma bIy
will he sent to the naval and the coaling stations
provided for in the treaty TO be ratified between
the two governments. The United States Govern
ment thus will avoid the necessity of shipnine~
the troops TO the United States and back again
to Cuba
"Of course. should the remote possibility oc-
cur Of an attack upon Cuba by a foreign foe
demonstrate the necessity Ot the assistance of
the artllerymen in the coast batteries they no
doubt will he available for that purpose: but
such contingency is not likely. Cuba has no
foes which desire TO menace her.
PreSident-eleCt Palma has a wife and a family
Of six children. Two of the oldest boys will re-
main i'm the school in the United States which
they are now attending Mrs. Palma and the
other four children will join the general before
the inauguration al Havana.
B4LFOJR AND BUTLER AT ODDS.