lity and success of the Cuban government, for the blessings of
peace, justice and prosperity and ordered freedom among the people of
Cuba and for enduring friendship between the United States and that
Republic.

[Illustration: TOMAS ESTRADA PALMA

"The Franklin of Cuba," Tomas Estrada Palma, was born at Bayamo on July
9, 1835, was educated in Havana and at the University of Seville, Spain,
and began the practice of law at his native place. But realizing that
under Spanish rule there was little administration of real justice in
Cuba, he abandoned his profession, devoted himself to the management of
his plantation, and when the Ten Years' War was planned entered the
patriotic conspiracy with zeal. He freed his slaves, gave his fortune to
the cause, and entered the army. His mother accompanied him to the camp,
and in his absence was captured by the Spaniards, who murdered her
through starvation and ill-treatment. He became Secretary of the
Republic and in March, 1876, was elected President. Betrayed to the
enemy, he was imprisoned in Morro Castle, Havana, and afterward in
Spain. At the end of the war he went to Honduras, taught school and
served as Postmaster-General, and then went to New York State, where he
established a school for boys. At the beginning of the War of
Independence he again gave himself to the Cuban cause, succeeded Marti
as head of the Junta in New York, became first President of the
Republic, was forced to resign through a traitorous insurrection and
ill-planned intervention, and died on November 4, 1908.]

General Wood then addressed the Cuban President and Congress, declaring
that he transferred to them the government and control of the island,
and that the American military occupation was ended. He reported the
amount of public funds which he turned over to the new officials, and
called attention to various plans for sewering, paving and other
sanitary works which were in course of execution. President Palma
responded, accepting the transfer of sovereignty, and expressing his and
his countrymen's appreciation of the course which the American
government had pursued.

Thus the transcendent consummation was achieved, for which during so
many weary and tragic years so many Cuban patriots had longed and for
which so much treasure had been spent, so much blood had been shed, and
so many lives had been sacrificed. "Cuba Libre" was an accomplished fact
among the nations of the world.

Leaving that memo