New-York tribune., 1903-01-18
PRESIDENT TP4LN1 S IRIP
Incidents Of HIS Recent Tour m
Western Cuba.

Havana. Jan. I3 (SpeciaD.-The four days
tour OF President Palma through the province OF
Pinar del Rio proved most conclusively mat ne
is still the idol Of the Cuban people Nor were
the enthusiastic receptions accorded him con-
fined 10 the natives. In every town visited the
Spaniards were as prominent as the Cubans IN
the celebrations Pinar del Rio Province is the
tobacco raising district Of Cuba where is grown
the world famed Vuelta Abajo tobacco A great
mart of the population is Spanish, and the spirit
and sincerity with which this element entered
into the demonstrations of good will to Presi-
dent Palma were a satisfactory augury OF the
continued good relations between the two peo-
Piles The intertwined flags Of Cuba Libre' and
Spain TO be seen many buildings told more
eloouentiy and more forcibly than did the speak
ers at the various banquets Of a reunited Cuba
absolute reconciliation between enemies OF
many wears Here and there were evidences of
the fierce conflict that was once waged in that
rrovince in the shape Of blockhouses ana
ruins. but they were ignored and apparently
forgotten Sefor Palma and the officials who
accon1panied him saw only the miles and miles
Of tobacco plantations where literally the
pioughshare had been substituted for the sword
or the n1achete General Antonio Maceo, the
colored hero of the late revolt ion, was Killed IN
that province and yet with all the reverence IN
which his memory is held there does not exist
one iota OF hatred against the people whose
government was responsible for his death.
The Presidential party consisted of the secre-
taries Of Government. Public Works and Public
Instruction: General Alexandra Rodriguez, COM
rnander Of the Rural Guards, and three aids and
REPRESENT tatives of the Cuban press Arthur
Rurlford Thompson, who represents the United
States Attorney Generals office here in con-
nectior with the Spanish Treaty Claims Com
mission; Jacob Sleeper. first secretary of the
United States Legation; Sidney Rothchild and
the Tribune correspondent were the only
Americans with the party. But the honor TO be
the first TO entertain President Palma fell TO an
American, Louis Marx, who rendered him for
mai breakfast on his tobacco plantation, FL
Zorillo at Alquizar The Chief Executive
showed the greatest interest in the various de-
partIuents of tobacco culture. and was pleased
TO see the success which has attended the grow
ing Of tobacco under cheesecloth.
The degree of enthusiasm reached by the peo-
pie in the towns where the President stopped
was remarka ble-nlore demonstrative even than
the receptions he received his tour last April
and May through the island. when he was only
President-elect. The esteem and love for him
have unquestionably increased. The trip by car
riage over that part of the country where there
are no railroads and the roads rough
rather trying but President Palma stood it well.
carrying huge flags, met the party outside Of
San Juan Y Martinez. and the cheering and clat-
tering Of hoofs made it a very noisy as well as
an enthusiastic welcome.
President Palma inspected several public
schools and asked many questions IN regard to
the attendance and efficiency Of the pupils. AT
a particularly rough part of the road the Presi-
dent stopped the procession, called Sefor Diaz,
The Secretary of Public Works. and instructed
him 10 have the road improved. Along the line
of march there was hardly a farmhouse without
a Cuban flag. In the cities the decorations
were elaborate, and pains spared to
make the Presidents first visit TO the province
of Pinar del Rio carnival of balls, banquets
and professions.
At the city Of Pinar del Rio the return
trip the President drove the first spike in the
railroad tracks of the Havana Railway of the
West for the extension of the line TO San Luis
He handled the sledge with vim that sur
rrised every one. Lionel Garden. British Min
lister 70 Cuba, and President Todd of the
pany met the party al Pinar del Rio and ac-
companied ii TO Havana.