The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-03
Cuba's First Real President.

early in the spring, was born
in Bayamo province of Santiago, Cuba,
in 1895, of wealthy parentage. He re-
ceived liberal education and was a
practicing lawyer when the insurrec-
tion of 1868, known as the Ten Years
War, broke out. He espoused it and
on that account his fathers estates
were confiscated by the Spanish gov
ernment and his mother killed by
Spanish troops under circumstances of
revolving brutality.
During that war Senor Palma at
tanned the rank of general through ef-
fective fighting in the field and upon
the death of General Cespedes succeed
ed to the presidency of the insurrec-
tionary or provisional government In
1877 he was captured by Spanish SOL
diery and deported to Spain as pris-
oner of war. Freedom from captivity
in the castle of Figueros was offered to
him if he would swear allegiance to the
Spanish crown, but he refused
A year later, at the close of the in
surrection. he was liberated and came
to this country Then he went to Hon
duras, where he had many friends.
There he met and married Senorita
Guardiola, whose father was president
of Honduras. That was twenty years
ago. General Palma became closely
allied with the federal power in Hon
duras and was made postmaster gen.
eral of the republic. At the outbreak
of the Cuban revolution in February,
1895, General Palma was chosen as for
eign envoy for the revolutionary party.
He became the head of the "Junta," as
the New York bureau of the rebels was
known, and worked indefatisably for
the cause. He was also elected presi-
dent of the council of Cuban patriotic
clubs. He superintended the purchas-
ing of arms and ammunition, chartered
steamers to carry tilibustering eXpedi-
tions, and at the same time aided in the
direction of hostilities in the field. When
the Spanish flag in Cuba was finally
lowered in defeat, General Palma re-
tired to his home in Central Valley, n.
Y, where he supported himself by pre-
siding over an institute for boys. He is
Il fine linguist. speaking English as well
us several other languages fluently,
and, unlike most Cubans, is of the
blond type in personal appearance. In
manner he is collected. and he has en-
cellent judgment There can be no
question that of the men considered he
was by all odds the best qualified to
S,t,n r,,l
II new government in Cuba. To IL COR
respondent who saw him at Cherry Val
ley on Tuesday, he said:
THE principal object of the Cuban
republic should be first of all to secure
the most friendly relations with the
American people, who helped us in our
hour of need. We will always bear in
mind the work of the United States in
helping us to obtain our independence
from Spanish rule, and at the same
time we should try to secure from the
Washington government all the ad-
reasonable reductions of the import
duties. especially on sugar ana tobacco,
as this is the only way for Cuba to es-
cape the absolute ruin of these two in
dustries, which are the only bases OF
Cuba's actual wealth. Without this
benefit the Cuban people will find them
selves in great distress and subject to
disturbances from lack of employment;
without this benefit all the sacrifices of
the Cubans for their freedom will be at
naught, for in IL starving condition they
cannot enjoy their independence. | am
convinced that the people of the United
States know very well that it is to their
own interest that cuba be in prosper
Gus condition and in IA state of order
and peace. and for that reason / am
sure that "A majority of the Americans
will favor commercial treaty between
the countries advantageous both to the
United States and cuba"
In this Judgment he is absolutely
right,