The record-union., 1898-12-24
Eight Thousand Have Embarked at Havana
the Present Week.
and Spanish Commis-
sioners Agree at Joint Meet
ing That the Exchange Of Flags
Shall Occur on the First OF jan
uary, the United States to AS
sumo Control Of the Whole ISL
and on That Date.

HAVANA, Dec. 23.-The Spanish
transport Darmstadt sailed to-day for
Cadiz, with 2,721 officers and men.
About 5000 Spanish troops have en-
barked this week for Spain; some 5000
others are left in Havana It is esti-
mated that there are $4,000 Spanish
soldiers at MatanZaS, and there are
about 3OC00 Spanish troops in Cien-
fuegos. The Spanish troops here will
withdraw to Matanzas and Cienfuegos
after January 1st.
The widow and daughter Of General
Garcia have been left in poverty, and
patriotic societies are contributing to
their relief.
Preparations for professions, dinners
and speeches on New Years Day are
being made all over the country
At joint meeting Of the United
States and Spanish Commissioners to-
day the program was finally agreed
upon for the exchange of flags on jan
uary 1st at noon.
Just before noon the American and
Spanish Commissioners, General Cas-
tellanos the Spanish Captain General,
and the American ranking officer i'll
Cuba, Major General John r. Brooke,
if he arrives in time, and otherwise
Major General Lee, will assemble at
the palace. The Spanish Commission
ers will then surrender the Govern
ment to the United States Commits
sioners, who will Immediately transfer
it to the American General command
ing. After this the various function
aires will remain awhile to receive
those who may wish to pay their re-
spects to the incoming authorities.
It was agreed at the joint meeting
that the Spanish troops remaining in
Cuba after January 1st should be con-
sidered in the light of foreign troops
in a friendly country, and to be ac-
corded the privileges usually granted
under International law. The quarters,
buildings and grounds occupied by
them are to be covered by the inn
munities of extra territoriality, and
further stipulations were entered into
respecting the prevention of any dis
turbance of public order consequent
upon their presence.
Matanzas and Cienfuegos will doubt
less be the only places where Spanish
troops will remain after January 1st,
and Cienfuegos will be evacuated last
The Spanish sick in the hospitals will
remain under the safeguard of the
American flag, the Spanish authorities
furnishing medicines, attendance and
food, repatriating them on recovery.
Generals Wade, Butler and Clous,
accompanied by their aides, We're re-
ceived at the palace to-day with full
military honors.
TROOPS TO BE HURRIED TO THE
ISLAND.
Doa
every evidence in the War Department
that strenuous efforts are making to
put enough American troops in Cuba
to meet any call upon them through
the speedy evacuation of the Spanish
garrisons. All the transports available
at all Atlantic ports are being prepared
under rush orders for sailing south.
The Spanish are carrying out their
evacuation contract with unusual ce-
lerity, and there is some question
whether American troops can be con-
centrated at certain points before the
Spaniards leave.
Meantime the Cubans are preparing
for demonstrations during evacuation
week, and it is thought very desirable
to have an adequate force on hand to
prevent any outbreak that would
: ejeopardize the American entente at the
outset. There will be thirteen custom
houses on the Cuban coast to be
turned over to American control, and
although some of these doubtless will
be closed, these ports will require a
large guard. Besides this. the War
Department is having quite a search
for competent customs men UNDER
standing Spanish to fill the custom
offices.