Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-24
PALMA IS BACK
IN CUBA AMID
CHEERS
BANDS PLAY, FLAGS WAVE AND
PALMS OF VICTORY STREW
HIS PATH TO HIS NATIVE
SOIL.

NEW YORK, April M.-General Thomas
Estrada Palma, president-elect OF the
Cuban republic, who arrived on the
steamer Admiral Farragut from Old
Point Comfort, Va, was greeted. says
Gibara, Cuba. dispatch to the Tribune
with great enthusiasm. Gibaras popula-
ton of 5000 was augmented by as many
more who came from all parts of the is
land. from Havana to Santiago, to pay
homage to a manly love. During the Voy-
age the weather was magnificent and GEN
eral PaImas foreboding of sea-sickness
was not realized.
When the steamer anchored in Gibara
harbor, salute OF 21 guns greeted Gen
eral Palma His face frightened at the
scene before him. How different was his
return to Cuba. He left in chains and
came back with his path literally strewn
with roses: The harbor was a kaleido-
scope of color and animation. From
every craft few the flag of Cuba libre
and the stars and stripes. Old frienos
who had known General Palma In the
ten years war and had shared with him
the haroships and sufferlngs of many
campaigns, came on board and embraced
him. Many were in tears. The vessel
was soon crowded with members of COM
mittees, representing different cities, VINO
came out in steamers and Launches
which were decorated from stem to stern,
from the mast to the water line.
After a quarter of a hour of Informal
talk General Palma and his party were
taken ashore in a launch. 1t was when
he put his foot on the pier that the pent
up enthusiasm OF his compatriots broke
forth I'm earnest. There were ROUNDS OF
cheers by the. natives, as shey crowded
around their presidenJ-elect, which could
have been heard clear across the bay.
Mayor Cespedes spoke few words OF
welcome and then proposed three cheers
for the first president of the Cuban re-
public" They were given with a will.
With the village band playing the Gu
ban hymn, a procession was formed TO
the principal street. whence the presi-
dent-elect and members of the committee
were drawn in. a carriage by score of
stalwart Cubans to the city hall. Every
place OF vantage along the route was
filed. Men. women and 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 hall. Not a
house in all Gibara was without decora-
ton in some form. From every one flew
the flag OF Cuba, and from almost as
many were displayed the flag Of the Uni
ted States. While the red and yellow
colors OF Spain were conspicuous on the
Spanish houses The Spaniards Joined in
the welcome. Garlands of roses and
palms figured prominently in the decora-
tions. A procession, headed by a detach-
ment of the Tenth United States cavalry,
commanded by Lieutenant Hart. and
made, up Of local civic societies, school
children and women proceeded with 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 into the carriage.
General Palma sat with barred head,
| bowling in response to the cheers. He was
deeply affected by the demonstration.
The. ceremonies at the city hall consisted
of speech making by the mayor, members
OF the council. General Palma and Con-
zales de Quesada. Mayor Cespedes spoke
eloquently of the gratitude that the Gu
ban people owed to General Palma, and
the honor of being the first to receive
the first chief executive of Cuba libre.
| His countrymen, he said, trusted Gen
eral Palma implicitly and would aid him
In every way toward a successful admin
istration OF his office.
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. II 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 henceforth all his time, knowledge
and energy to bringing about this result.
He frequently was interrupted with cries
of viva Palma! Viva Cuba Libre!''
The mayor then granted him the free
dom OF the city.
Senior de Quesada, in his speech, said
the happy union that now exists between
| the two people was an omen OF future
peace and prosperity; that their interests
were so closely allied that 1t was to their
mutual interest to continue the good per-
sonal relation so apparent in the demon
stration.
General Palma then held a public re-
| ception. and was overwhelmed with con-
gratuations and good wishes. The pro-
| cession reformed and the party was es-
corted to a private house, where the peo-
pie insisted on again hearing from their
/ president. who addressed them from the
/ balcony. II was with reluctance that they
dispersed when he withdrew for a few
hours rest and conference with his
friends. There was little of the former,
however. for all day there was a con-
slant flow of visitors to pay their re-
spects in person. The exercises culmina-
ted in the evening with a banquet and
ball at the Union club.
General Palma will resume his journey
Monday evening. Holguin will be the
| next stopping place..