New-York tribune., 1908-11-05

Santiago
Palma the first President OF the Cuban RePuo-
lie, died tonight
General Tomas Estrada Palma the first President
Of Cuba was one the few surviving chiefs of the
Ten Years War Csss-'7s against the domination
OF Spain He had devoted nearly his entire life
the cause Of Cuba Libre' and TO him, as nuch
as 70 the late General Maxine Gomez were his
compatriots indebted for the consummation OF this
ideal The last two Of his life, passed III prac
teal exile Santiago province. where he was
born r. pathetic commentary on the transi-
tory greatness OF public men in Latin America
II was almost unanimously that General Pa ma
was elected President of the infant republic on
December IT. 1871. 1t was an honor thrust upon
him without his seeking. He not even in
Cuba at the time. He accepted the office but with
some reluctance. The writer with Senor
Palma at his home in Central Valley. n. L. on the
day he received word Of his election. The large
wooden house the foot OF the Ramapo Noun
tains in Orange County, had been his home almost
from the time OF his release from Spanish prison
in 1875 for his part in the unsuccessful enort 10
depose the Spanish regime in Cuba In that house
five of his six children were born and raised some
of them to Young manhood and young won1anhood
Relieve me 1 would rather pass the remainder
of nv days here in the quiet OF Central Valley
whence has sprung much Of the inspiration Tor
that fight than enter into the excitement OF poi
itics" he said This s my chidren's birthplace
and I wanted them to stay mere But my peope
want and 1 will go.
President Palma was inaugurated on May 20, 1907
under the most aUspioious conditions The Amerl-
can Government of Intervention retired from the
island on that day deaving it physically, CONNER
ciaIly and financially improved. Nearly every for
eign nation was represented. either in the person
a diplomat by message of felicitaton, at
the birth of the republic SehOr Palma served
the full term Of four years and then. against his
wishes. his partisans again made him candidate
for the Presidency and reelected him Three
months after his inauguration in 1906 his enemies
began a revolution to depOse him. The government
forces found IL too strong to cope with and an
appeal made to the United States for aid
Troops were sent to Cuba to quiet the tumut. and
President Roosevelt assigned Secretary Taft to
go TO Havana and straighten out the Iangie- Pres
sure was brought President Palma to resign,
and thus unfortunately. ended his unseIsh patriotic
career of over forty years.
Sick at heart the old at retired to
his native state out of touch with politics and pub
lie affairs and remained there to his death, prac-
tically in exile.
General Palma was born in Bayamo in the In
terror of Santiago, III 1886 His father was prom
inent planter and cattle raiser. Don Tomas. as
he later became most famiIiary known, was an
assiduous student After studying under a private
tutor he went TO Spain. where at Seville he took
university course in law. Returning to Cuba. he
practised at his profession until his father died
when he undertook the mana cement OF the estates
He had mbioed Of the spirit of liberty, that was
always strongest in Santiago and when the call to
arms was sounded in 1858 he f1ned his Compatrots
in the field. his Spanish troops visited
the Palma home and tortured his mother in an
effort to obtain from some Of the in
surrection- She died result OF this treatment.
which increased the intensity OF the hatred that
Don Tomas bore the Spanish regime, and spurred
him on TO greater deeds Of vslor- He soon became
4 general in the insUrEenJ army. When the pro-
visionaI government was organized or the field
he was chosen Deputy and later became Presi-
dent. succeeding General Carlos Manuel de Ces-
pedes
The spaniards captured him and took him in
irons a prisoner to Spain. They released him when
the insurrection was quelled in 1878 His parents
| dead. and being reduced in circumstances because
| Of the conhscatiOn of his property IN Cuba Cen
| ersl Palma came to New York After brief stay
| he went 10 Honduras the invitation of General
Gomez who had gone thither. There he met the
| daughter OF President Guardiola of Honduras, who
| subsequently became his wife. The President ap-
pointed General Palma Postmaster General In 1SSS
| he left Honduras with his wife and one son for
Central Valley There ne established the Institute
| Estrada Palma a school boys from Cuba and
! other countries OF Latin America This school
| was the means Of a comfortable livelihood
While thus employed General Palma found time
| to arrange in conjunction with the late Jose MART
corzaIo de ouesada now Cuban Minister in Wash
| ingtou and leaders who came fom Cuba for an
! other uprising The first blow was struck IN teoru-
| ary 1895 General Palma became the head OF the
/ "Iupta" in this city. with the title of delegate.
| executive rnanagement of that movement he
worked increasingly for the cause and raised large
| contributions.
| This work he kept up until the Spanish American
w. .ooI, tho situation out of the hands OF the
| 5-,1hans With his country free, General rama
| content that he had performed his duty returned
| 10 his home in Central Valley, Intending 70 pass
tho es+ or his life there His part in the last tight
COST him much personal loss, and he was compeiieo
! =, mortgage his old home There he rested quietly
(',,ba In
| Central Valley marked epoch IN the htue Town,
| All Orange County turned out to do him honor anu
| bade him godspeed He sailed for Cuba two days
| ..ta7 hin, Arriving at Gibara. Santiago
| nrovince which about twenty-five years peiore NJ
lad letr a shacked prisoner, for Spain the people
acclaimed him with enthusiasm prooaDiy heV We,
b.fora witnessed in Cuba. He then traVeileo
through the island Havana where ne was IN
augurated. -. -t,,14r.,
General Palma leaves WHO" ana siN 1l'
fotIr sons and daughters