Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-03-25
MACON RULES CUBA
FROM NOTED PALACE
BY William E. Curtis. Correspondent
of the Chicago Record-Herald.


of the Chicago Record-Herald.
Havana, Mar. 9.-Governor Genera
Magoon Is performing his very deli
cate and difficult task of pacihcatior
from a stately building In the lower
part OF the city of Havana which fol
generations was the residence of the
Spanish captain general. and, since
the republic, the residence of Presi
dent Palma. In some respects 1t is
the most notable building In the city
and the proportions of Its state recep
ton rooms and other apartments are
very much admired. The entrance Is
OF richly carved marble under a por
tico facing the Plaza de Armas. which
was one of the most beautiful squares
until the hurricane that swept Havana
last October nearly destroyed the an
cient trees. Within few days the
department of public works straight.
ened them up, got their roots back
into the soil again, trimmed their
dilapidated branches, and they have
since taken on new lease of life
and promise to recover their former
beauty.
Similar destruction occurred in ev-
cry part OF the city. The palms, the
cocoanut trees and palmettos were
blown to pieces, but they are very
tenacious of life, and within few
years will be as attractive as ever
The palace occupies full block
and surrounds a large patio, in the
center OF which is statue OF Colum.
| bus erected many years ago, rising
| from masses of tropical flowers and
| foliage plants. The interior rooms
open upon wide gallery which looks
upon this patio and offer a large area
for the entertainment OF guests. The
lower floor Is occupied by the offices
OF the mayor and other city officials,
and contains the chamber of the ay-
| untamiento, or city council. The gov
ernor generals office and living rooms,
on the third floor. are reached by
stately marble stairways. The state
apartments have been refurnshed in
North American style since independ-
ence, but the decorations remain as
they we're during the Spanish regime,
and the coat OF arms of CASTLE and
Leon still appears over the main en-
trance and In several other consplcu-
Gus places.
1t was In this palace that Lieutenant
General Castellanos, on January /,
1899. yielded the last vestige Of au-
thority and the last inch OF territory
which the Spaniards held on this side
af al
history OF Spain so far as it relates
to the American hemisphere. The
Spanish crown once dominated the
greater part of three continents which
were discovered under its auspices,
but every foot has been forfeited as
penalty OF misgovernment. The last
act Of REIMBURSEMENT as the late
General Ludlow reported to the secre-
tary OF war, was conducted with quiet
dignity. but was profoundly pathetic.
On the Goth day OF May, 1902, three
years and five months later, in the
same room, the authority over Cuba
was rellnquished by the United States
to Estrada Palma. the newly elected
president OF the republic. the Ameri-
'dh nag was ioWtitu lTDDu lHt stan
on the roof of the palace, and the
flag OF Cuba was raised In Its place.
On the Goth of September, 1906, the
Cuban president quietly withdrew and
another American governor general as
sumed authority. but the flag remains
the same. So far as appearances go
no one would ever suspect that there
had been change of government. II
stranger from New Zealand should
arrive In Havana he would never sus-
pect that the Cubans were not still
conducting their own government and
were not perfectly satisfied with the
situation.
Being a bachelor and the social sit
uation being very important. as in all
Latin countries, Judge Magoon invited
General and Mrs. Alfred r. Bates OF
Washington to spend the winter in
Havana as his guests, and Mrs. Bates
has been conducting social cam
paign which has had most important
effect in carrying out the concilation
program. It has been very delicate
duty, because the social situation here
is quite as complicated as the politi-
cal situation. The Cuban population
Is divided into two factions, favorable
and unfavorable to the presence OF the
Americans; the large Spanish element
| which composes the aristocracy and
owns the greater part of the wealth
does not mix with either, while other
| foreign colonies are composed OF a
| wide variety of human kind, each OF
which considers itself entitled to spe-
| cial distinction. No one could have
| guided the social campaign more skill
| fully than Mrs. Bates. She has pc
culiar qualifications for the duties she
has performed; she has conscience.
| courage. tact and a thorough knowl-
edge OF etiquette. as well as Of human
nature, all of which was required to
| an unusual extent In arranging the
notable series OF entertainments, din
ners. receptions, teas and other as
semblies that have delighted Havana
| II is impossible to determine the exact
share Of influence Mrs. Bates has ex-
ercised in accomplishing the present
popularity OF the provisional govern
| ment and In securing the confidence