Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-07-21
The Ceremony Marked in Its I'm
pressiveness---ToraP; Army
Lays Down Its Guns.
The Spanish Commander, After
Many Delays, Yields to Gen.
Skaters Demands.
Terms of the Surrender-RecOmm
dalton That Arms Be Returned
Has Not Been Granted.

Santiago de Cuba, July 1S.-Amid
impressive ceremonies the Spanish
troops laid down their arms between
the lines of the Spanish and American
forces at nine o'clock Sunday morn
ing. Gen. Shafter and the American
division and brigade commanders and
their stats were escorted by troop
of cavalry, and Gen. Toral and his staff
by 100 picked men. Trumpeters on
both sides saluted with fourishes.
Gen. Shafter returned to Gen. Toral
the latter's sword after it had been
handed to the American commander.
Our troops, lined up at the trenches,
were eye-witnesses of the ceremony.
Gen. Shafter and his escort, accom-
panied by Gen. Toral. rode through
the city, taking formal possession. The
city had been sacked before they ar
rived by the Spaniards. AT the palace
elaborate ceremonies took place. EX-
actly at noon the American flag was
raised over the palace and was saluted
by Fl guns by Capt. Capron's bat
terry. At the same time all the regi-
mental bands in our lines played THE
Star Spangled Banner" after which
President McKinley's congratulatory
telegram was read to each regiment.
The Thirteenth and Ninth regiments
of infantry will remain in the city to
enforce order and exercise municipal
authority. The Spanish forces are to
encamp outside of our lines. Gen.
McKibbon has been appointed tenn
porary military governor.
An Impressive Scene.
The ceremony of hosting the stars
and stripes was worth all the blood
and treasure it cost. A vast concourse
of 10000 people witnessed the stirring
and thrilling scene that will live for
ever in the minds of all the Americans
present. A finer stage setting for a
dramatic episode it would be difficult to
imagine. The palace, picturesque old
dwelling in the Moorish style of archi-
lecture, faces the Plaza de La Reina,
the principal public square. Opposite
rises the opposing Catholic cathedral.
On one side is a quaint, brilliantly
painted building, with broad verandas
the club of San Carlos-on the other
building of much the same description
is the Cafe de La Venus.
Across the plaza was drawn UP the
Ninth infantry, headed by the Sixth
cavalry band. In the street facing the
palace stood a picked troop of the Sec
ond cavalry, with drawn sabers, under
nd nf Cont MacCal
the stone tagging between the band
and the line of horsemen were the
brigade commanders of Gen. Skaters
division, will their staffs. On the red
tiled roof of the palace stood Capt.
McKittrick, Lieut.. Miley and Lieut..
Wheeler. Immediately above them,
upon the flagstaff, the illuminated
Spanish arms and the legend give AL
fonso Kill" All about, pressing
against the veranda rails, crowding to
windows and doors and lining the roofs
were the people of the town, principal
ly women ard noncombatants.
Old Glory HOisted.
AS the chimes of the old cathedral
rang out the hour of IL the infantry
and cavalry presented arms. Every
American uncovered, and Capt. Nc
Kittrick hoisted the stars and stripes.
AS the brilliant folds unfurled in a gen
tie breeze against Reckless sky the
cavalry band broke into the strains
of "The Star-SpanGled Banner" max
ing the American pulse leap and the
American heart thrill with joy.
At the same instant the sound of the
distant booming of Capt. Capron's
battery, firing a salute of q guns
drifted in. When the music ceased
from all directions around our line
came floating across the plaza the
strains of the rcgimental bands and
the muffled, hoarse cheer of our troops
The infantry came to "Order arms
moment later, after the flag was I'D
and the band played rally Round the
Flag, Boys" Instantly Gen. McKib
bon called for three cheers for Gen
Shafter. which were given with great
enthusiasm. the band playing Sousa'.
"The Stars and Stripes Forever"
The ceremony over, Gen. Shafter ant
his staff returned to the American
lines. leaving the city in the possession
of the municipal authorities. subiec
to the control of Gen. McKibbon.
Madrid Sanctions Surrender.
The formal sanction by the Madri,
government of the terms of capitula
tioG unravel!ed the tangled skein O
demands and counter demands between
the opposing commanders, whicl
threatened to end the negotiations an
compel return 10 arms. After NJ
merous conferences had resulted in tn
agreement, already sanctioned by Gel
Blanco. Gen. Toral decided that the al
proval of the Madrid government wa
necessary before he would leave tn