The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

of Spain. Thereafter he cast his lot
with the revolutionists, giving them
everything he could obtain and fight
ing with them whenever the opportun-
ity offered His energy and his devo-
ton to the cause soon raised him to
the leadership. He first became
deputy and finally president OF the pro-
visionaI republic. It was a migratory
affair, this government, moving its
headquarters as often as the enemy.
compelled. Many OF the native Gu
bans recognized 1t, however, and look
ed on Palma as their chief. with Gen.
eraI Maxine Gomez. as his secretary Of
war. =
One day while on tlassmarch withsass
body of troops Palma was captureds
After a few days spent In MORO castles
Havana, he was sent to Spain. TheEs
| he 4s-ed ten months in various prisons
When he was released the Ten Years.
war was over, and Spain had so tight /
ened her grip on Cuba that he could i
not return to the island, but made his
way to New York. He did not remain
long on that first visit. He did not
know the language and no openinas
refuge in Honduras. and he urged his
chief to Join him there. Palma vent
finally and found aid and sympathy in !
abundance. He married the daughter
of the president OF Honduras and in
time became postmaster general ofsthe
republic
He could not forget Cuba, and theTis-l
land of his dreams was always Quba
Libre He acquired the English lauzl
guage while in Honduras, where he re-
manned until 1883. when he once uaOEe
came to the United States. this time
bringing a wife and children. He set-l
tied in Central Valley, a small village
ten miles over the hills from the Hud-l
son river, and with David Cornell as
tablished the Institute. Estrada Palma.
a school for Cuban boys.
For eighteen years he lived this quiet
pedagogic life, all the time growing in
the affections of his neighb0rs. Five
children were added to his family fold
in Central Valley, and as the years
passed the Palmas became Americans
to all ir-erts and purposes, with moth
ing to suggest that the reserved ana
simple hammered schoolmaster was
destined to be raised to a more lofty
dignity.
IN 1895. while he was busy with his
school, Palma was called on to assume
the direction of the junta, the group
of men in this country who were awsit-
ing an opportunity to wrest Cuba from
Spanish tyranny. lie at once ab2n-
doned his work at Central Valley ard
tablished himself in a dingy little Of
fee and went to work tooth and nail
When the island was freed and the
junta's work was done, he returned
again to the obscurity OF Central Vail
ley and waited. Those who know him
believe that he would have been con-
tent to remain there. but when Cuba
called him he regarded the summons
as right and proper and responded
= without delay.
Palma began his administration as
# the most popular man in Cuba. That
o he has not been able to retain this
d popularity is no fault. Of his. 1t is his
n unflinching integrity and his logged
G resolution to make his government
II live up ito its pledges that have given
ofrense to the revolutionary element.
# AS it is, he has accomplished wonders.
= What other Cuban could have curbed
IS the racial unrest Of the islanders for
d so long a period?
+ DR.. Domingo Mendez Capote, the vice
= president is a patriot of a younger
i generation and typical Cuban. Doubt
is less he is more of a favorite among the
h rank and ME Of modern Cubans than
is if he had lived the best part of his
life in an obscure American hamlet.
oe GEORGE H. PICARD.