CHAPTER XIII 240

Election of the First Cuban Government--Candidates for the Presidency--Tomas Estrada Palma Chosen by Common Consent--General Maso's Candidacy--The Election--Close of the American Occupation--A Festal Week in Havana--Transfer of Authority to the Cuban Government--The Cuban Flag at Last Raised in Sovereignty of the Island--President Roosevelt's Estimate of General Wood's Work in Cuba--President Palma's Cabinet--His First Message--The United States Naval Station--Reciprocity Secured after Discreditable Delay at Washington.