LATIN AMERICA: Memorial

More than a quarter of a century has rolled by since Cuba was freed from Spanish rule by the successful conclusion of the Spanish-American War. Those were days when Colonel “Teddy” Roosevelt’s Rough Riders rendered inestimable service to the cause of Cuba.

With this in mind, the Cubans not long ago erected a memorial to the late ex-President of the U. S., as Colonel of the Rough Riders, on the outskirts of Santiago de Cuba on the Avenida de Roosevelt and the Avenida de la Republica.

Last week, there arrived for the unveiling ceremony Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt, widow of the ex-President. Such was the enthusiastic welcome given her that she could not for a moment restrain the tears that coursed naturally down her cheeks. Mrs. Roosevelt and her party were met at Havana, the capital, by President Zayas, his ministers and General Enoch H. Crowder, U. S. Ambassador to Cuba.

A round of luncheons and dinners over, the party moved on to Santiago de Cuba by train. A scare was provided by the discovery of a bomb under a railway bridge. Guards were called out to examine and guard all other bridges over which the train was to pass and eventually the party arrived safely.

In the presence of Major General James G. Harbord, U. S. A., retired, who represented President Coolidge, and many distinguished Cubans and Americans, Mrs. Roosevelt pulled down the flag which shrouded the monument. Military and naval officers stood at the salute, civilians bared their heads.

President Zayas of Cuba:

“The love and devotion of the Cuban people for Theodore Roosevelt will live in their hearts longer than the bronze bust and the granite base unveiled in his honor here today can possibly last.”

General Harbord in a long speech recalled the Spanish-American War, the reasons for which it was fought, and the great part Theodore Roosevelt, “for years beloved in a free Cuba,” had therein played.