The Washington herald., 1909-04-13
WASHINGTON CHAT.


Quesada as Minister from Cuba. IS the
son Of Gen. Calixto Garcia. one OF the
heroes OF the Spanish-American war, N
which struggle his son also gained re-
nown- The new minister IS a compara-
lively young man. being barely forty.
and he Is almost as muck an American
as he is Cuban, fer. from the time ne
was three years old he was educated in
this country. his mothea exiled By the
Spanish authorities for the part her hus-
oand was taking IN the revolution. hav-
ing sought refuge In New York, where
her children wee placed IN the public
schools Gen. Garcia-VeIez was stin a
student when his father was captured by
the Spaniards and imprisoned in spain.
whittier his family followed him. estab-
fishing their residence in Madrid. where
the father Joined them. and where he iv-
ed quite free and unmolested under a pa
role.
Young Garcia-Velez marticulated al the
University OF Madrid but when the war
or 1870 broke out in Cuba. he accompanied
MS father home. and from that time 70
lis end took an active part IN the strug-
gle that resulted in Cuba Libre. winning
honoTs am rapid promotions. He led the
attack Of the infantry at Las Tunas. and
captured all the forts and blockhouses
or that city. and was the chief officer
IN one Of the most notable military feats
or the war-the laying Of the dynamite
mines IN the Cauto River that blew 1Ip
an the gunboats which tried 10 pass up
that stream. thus preventing the Span
iards from invading the very richest part
Of the country In the campaign a; san
uago, Gen. Garcia-Nelez was a division
commander. and one OF the most valued
advisers 10 Gems Shafter. Lawton.
Wheeler. and Ludlow. frequently taSing
mis- fathers place in the conferences with
those officers. and after the fan Of the
CITY be co-operated with Gen. Wood Ia
adjusting the relations between the Gu
ban and American troops. between whom
there had been some friction. Later on
the general was appointed inspector gen
eral OF prisons by Gov. MagoOn. and
his administration OF this post is one
OF the most creditable accomplishments
IN his career, Tor he abandoned the old
archaic penal system. which had been
maintained by the Spaniards. for the re-
forms that an modern governments have
introduced. After the republic vas es-
tabished. the general was appointed Min
ister 10 Mexico. where he formed a warm
friendship with President Diaz and Vice
President Corral. who duly appreciated
his work in negotiating the two postal
conventions which have simpllfied the in
tercOuTse between The two nations
u viii be remembered that Gen. Garcia
Neiez ran for the mayOrship Of Havana
fcv the Union Democratic party IN 1901
but was defeated by the opposition. which
had a better organization and leadership.
This defeat. however. did not affect HIS
interest in home politics. which has been
uniagging. AMI when T. was proven that
the elections IN Cuba I'm 1905 were fraud
ulent, he relnquished his post IN Mexico
and headed a revolution against the Is
ueda Palma government which resulted
in his arrest He remained in prison IN
ul Mr. Taft went there as special am
hassadOr. 20 settle the domestic affairs
in the island. when all the political pris-
oners were released. and many OF them
appointed 10 high Offices. Gen. Garcia
FeleZ. FOR instance. being made general
Inspector OF jaiis. peuitentizries. and
charities which position he held until he
was confirmed by the senate as minister
20 the United States
Nine Garcia-VeIez was born Mss
Amalia n. Yb0r. and is q daughter Of
the late Vicente n. TbOr. one OF the pio-
neer manufacturers Of cigars in New
York and Tampa. near which latter city
he founded town known as Ybor City.
the chief Industry OF which IS the making
OF cigars and cigarettes. and which Is a
growing and thriving town. The minis
ter's father. Gen Calixto Garcia. died in
Washington. December il. ISsS. lust
twenty days before the government OF the
Island was turned over 20 the United
states. All honor was done the Cuban
nero In this country. and his remains
were conveyed hack 10 the land 10 which
he had devO:ed bis life on board the
United States ship Nashville. where Re
was given her0's and patriots burial.
In marrying Es-1ond Ovey. third sec
retary Of the British Embassy. Blanche
Willis Emory viii enter a DISTINGUISHED
English family, but she comes Of an
American family no less distinguished
Her molher is a niece Of y. p. Willis.
the poet. and her father is the son Of the
late Ma. Gen. ". II. Emory. one OF the
most noted officers or the civil war.
Since Admiral Emory's marriage 10 The
beautiful Blanche Wins they have lived
IN Washington. where they were among
the pioneers IN building Up the West End.
Their handsome house in Connecticut
an enue. opposite the British Embassy.
was ouiit in The late '1)s. al tie same
time thar Mrs willis sister. Mrs. Broad
head, built the house in Rhode Island
avenue which subsequently became the
property Of l. z. Morton. when he was
Vice President and between these two
sisters there was friendly rivalry 10
see which should have the most elegant
residence. After Mrs. Emory's resi-
dence was finished and she established
her Lares and Penates there. she enter
tainea constantly. and during Arthur's
administration was one Of the little cote
rie that kept the sociGl bah rollins. The
house occupies one OF the most desirable
sites in Connecticut avenue, and Mrs.
Emory as recently decided to convert
her horne into an aDarrme0r borse