The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-13
I. ESTRADA PALMA
Sketch of the First President Of
Cuba.
HE HAS BEEN LIVING IN NEW YORK
sufferings at Spanish
Hands.


held Is that OF T. Estrada Palma as the
first president of the republic of Cuba. Mr..
Palma does not live in Cuba and has not
lived there for some fourteen or fifteen
years. His place of residence is Central
Valley, Orange county, which is little
station on what is usually known as the
Short CUT railroad leading from New
burgh to Turner'S, on the main line of the
Erie, and which is one of the quietest
little country villages In the state. In
Central Valley Mr.. Palma keeps school,
and during all the talk about organizing
the new nation and the question of can
didates, he has remained there, quietly
attending to his school, just as il he was
interested in nothing else in the world.
But during the time Of the struggle be-
tween the Cuhans and Spain MI. Palma
was the agent of the patriots In this coun-
try He had charge Of the issue of the
Cuban bonds, the raising of money and
supplies, AMI the general interests Of those
who hoped to get rid of Spain and estab-
lish a nationality Of their own. He always
spoke and acted in the name of tho
Cuban junta," but when our govern
ment took the matter up, the discovery
was made that he was really the only
one there was in the "junta," and his
management was so fair and honest, and
had been so free from any attempt to gain
pecuniary or other advantages for him
self, that when the question of starting
the new government was brought forward,
the more conservative people of Cuba
found their preferences gradually center
ing upon him as the best man to lead in
the important work. At first there were
quite a number of other aspirants, but
they gradually dropped off for want of
support, the last one, Maso, having with
drawn few weeks ago, when he found
that the American authorities would not
consent to postponement of the election.
AS a consequence Palma has been elected
by an almost unanimous vote, though he
has not been personally present through
any Of the canvass and has apparently not
lifted finger to secure the office. His
neighbors in Central Valley appear to
think as much of him as his people in
Cuba, and there is every reason to hope
that he will succeed in the extremely
difficult task which is before him. There
have been a good many curious and ro-
mantle instances where men have been
called from private life to important pub
lie stations, but the transition of the
quiet country schoolmaster in Central
Valley to the presidency Of the Cuban re-
public is about as strange as any of them.
He was interviewed by reporter for
the New York Tribune at his home on the
day of his election to the presidency, but
modestly declined to talk much about
himself. He said that his life was de-
voted to his wife and family Of six chill
dren who live with him in the quiet New
York state home, but that he would give
the new position all the attention it
seems to need. Under his administra-
tion the closest friendship will exist be-
tween the two republics, for he appreciates
fully what the United States did to Sc
cure the independence of Cuba. "The
principal object of the Cuban republic"
he said SHOULD be first of all to secure
the most friendly relations with the
American people, who helped us in our
hour of need. am convinced that the
people of the United States know very we'll
that it is to their own interest that Cuba
be In a prosperous condition and IN a
state of order and peace, and for that rea-
son am sure that a majority Of the
Americans will favor a commercial treaty
between the countries advantageous both
to the United States and Cuba"
To secure treaty that will be just to
the United States and at the same time
open our markets to Cuban products is a
ship of the two countries. If President
elect Palma succeeds in framing such an
arrangement, he will find all of his other
| problems of comparatively easy solution.
General Palma is of interesting per-
| sonality The Tribune describes his home
| and incidentally gives hint OF the occu-
patton which has kept him in America for
SO long a peIlOu:
| The Palma residence is four-story frame
! house, situated at the foot of the Ramapo
mountains. His home is the center of attrac-
| ton for visitors. The villagers point 1t out
| as the home of the president of Cuba. -
About thirty acres of ground surround the
wooden dwelling. The house, which is large
and -oomy, serves the double purpose of a
residence and a school, which Is known as
! the Estrada Palma institute.
But while he has been largely occupied
with his family and affairs in New York,
Palma has given enough attention to
Cuban independence to earn his leader
ship without question. He was a revolu-
Zionist during the ten years war, urged on
by duty to his country and the desire tc
avenge the death of his mother, who had
been starved to death by the Spaniards
He was p resident Of a paper republic, was
| imprisoned and was sent into exile.
He has had adversely enough to tone
down the zeal which characterized his
youthful operations, and may prove to be
| the wise and conservative force which the
distressed island needs to bring it back
| to complete tranquility. .