The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-22
Details of the Demonstration at Gil
barn i'm Honor of the Return Of
the Exile to His Own.
EVERY HOUSE DECORATED
PALMA PELTED WITH FLOWERS BY
THE WOMEN AND GIRLS.
Flag of "Cuba Libre" and the Stars
and Stripes Entwined-Cheers,
Tears and Embraces.

NEW YORK, April 21.-Tomas Estrada y
Palma, President-elect of the Cuban Re-
public, who arrived on the steamer Ad-
miral Farragut from Old Point Comfort
Va, was greeted. says a Gibara, Cuba
dispatch to the Tribune, with great en-
thusiasm. Gibara's population of 5000 was
augmented by as many more who came
from all parts of the city and from Ha-
vana TO Santiago, to pay homage to a
man they love. When the steamer an
chored in Gibara harbor. salute of
twenty-one guns greeted Palma. His face
frightened at the scene before him. How
different his return to Cuba. He left
in chains and came back with his path
literally strewn with roses From every
craft flew the flag of Cuba Libre and the
stars and stripes. Old friends who had
known Mr.. Palma in the ten years war
and who shared with him the hardships
and sufferings of many campaigns, came
on board and embraced him. Many were
in tears. The vessel was soon crowded
with members of committees, represent
ing different cities, who came out in steam
ers and launches, which were decorated
from stem TO stern, from the mast to the
water line.
After quarter of an hour of informal
talk General Palma and his party were
taken ashore in launch. 1t was when he
put his foot on the pier that the pent-up
enthusiasm of his compatriots broke forth
in earnest. There were rounds of cheers
by the natives 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 republic
They were given with will
With the village band playing the Gu
ban hymn, procession was formed 10 the
principal street, whence the President-elect
and members or the committee were drawn
in carriage by score of stalWart Gu
bans to the City Hall. Every place Of van
tage along the route was filled. Men, wom-
en- and their 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 Hail. Not a
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 well
come. Garlands of roses and palms fig
ured prominently in the decorations. A
procession, headed by a detachment of the
Tenth United States Cavalry, commanded
by Lieutenant Hart, and made up of local
civic societies. school children and women
preceded the Palma party TO the City Hall
and then lined up on each side to allow his
carriage to pass. Every woman and girl
was armed with small bouquets, which
they threw in the carriage.
General Palma sat with barred head, bow
ing in response 10 the cheers. He was deep
ly affected by the demonstration. The cere-
monies at the City Hall consisted of
speech-making by the mayor, members of
the Council, General Palma and Gonzales
de Quesada. General Palma, in responding.
spoke with some difficulty as he was almost
overcome by the reception given him. He
began by proposing cheers for Cuba Libre
and for the United States. He said the
Cuban people should with the Inaugural
ton of their independent government
abandon politics, and give their attention
TO the betterment and reconstruction of
their country. 1t was his ambition to bring
the various elements together, so that they
may all work to one end-the building up
of Cuba. He promised to devote hence
forth all his time. knowledge and energy
to bringing about this result. He frequent
ly was interrupted with cries of viva
Palma" viva Cuba Librei' The mayor
then granted him the freedom of the city.
General Palma held public reception
and was overwhelmed with congratula-
tons and good wishes. The procession re-
formed, and the party was escorted to a
private house, where the people insisted on
again hearing from their President, who
addressed them from the balcony. 1t was
with reluctance that they dispersed when
he withdrew for few hours rest and con-
ference with his friends.
President-elect Palma and his party left
Gibara this afternoon for Holguin In an
interview Senior Estrada Palma said he
would combine the Cuban postal and tele-
graph services under one head and make
Gen. Fernando Figuere director of the
united department. He has decided to APP
point Juan Rios Rivera chief of Cuban Gus
toms, Charles ZalGo secretary of state, and
Senior zero secretary of instruction. The
President-elect said he regarded the Span
1Sn element IN Cuba lndlSDelfga hp
factor in the happiness of the future re-
Duhlic.