purpose; that they only meant to
capture him, put him on the government yacht, and carry him to some
remote part of the country and give him just a "pleasant picnic."

[Illustration: THE PRESIDENT'S HOME

The new Presidential Palace, which replaces in its functions the old
home of the Spanish Governors, is of striking architecture and
impressive size, affording ample room for many other functions than the
mere housing of the President and his family; and in completeness of its
appointments and beauty of its furnishings and internal decorations must
rank among the finest official residences in the world.]

President Palma was repeatedly warned by the secret service, of which
Pepe Jerez Varona was the chief, that serious trouble was coming through
the propaganda of the Liberal party whose leaders had taken the position
that the late election had been fraudulent and that the Liberals had
been prevented from casting their votes, which they said was sufficient
excuse for the uprising that was imminent. Local bands of the so-called
"Constitutional Army" soon began to make their appearance throughout the
central districts of the island. Each of these was headed by some
prominent Liberal chieftain; among others, those at Havana by General
Loinaz Castillo, in Pinar del Rio by Pino Guerra, and in Santa Clara by
Orestes Ferrara, afterward President of the House of Representatives.
The real promoters, instigators, and chiefs of the movement were General
Jose Miguel Gomez, afterward President of the Republic; Carlos Garcia,
later Minister to England; and Juan Gualberto Gomez, the trusted agent
of Alfredo Zayas and leader of the negro Liberals of the island.
Convincing proofs, in the form of documents over the signatures of these
men, were found showing their treason to the republic. They did not
actually lead the insurgent bands, because they were arrested and
imprisoned just as they were setting out to do so. President Palma was
advised that they should be tried and executed, but he protested against
the courts taking such action, on the ground that he could not bring
himself to sanction the execution of men, some of whom had in former
days been his companions in arms.

In the meantime, the revolutionary force swept through various parts of
the island, seizing horses, mules, beef cattle and produce, breaking
open groceries and general stores, helping themselves to anything that
suited their fancy, occasionally giving in exchange