The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-03
gh aaaichita Daily gaoe Tuesday gornmp aau 3 ses.

rails. Every carriage driver. however
shabby mis- vehicle, had it decked with
flags. and every horses head kept the
little flags on 1t waving-even the mules
on the street cars held their own IN the
general flag decoration.
THE QUICK CHANGs.
The change in the atmosphere was quick
and marvellous. The very quiet OF anx-
ious waiting ard tension of suspense had
been oppressive. People went to daily
work or TO enforced idleness alike, as if
under the gloom Of heavy, lowering
cloud. Suddenly the cloud lifted, broke,
vanished, and such a sunlight as never De-
fore fell upon the Cubans in Key Wesa
Every face was bright with smiling nope
even faces that had been hard and set tor
weeks past were now radiant with the
new light. II could not be described-this
sudden uplifting and buoyancy of spirit
1t was in the air, in the blue sky, in every
voice. Men on the streets, grave and old,
embraced. throwing their arms about
each other with impulsive rejoicing. Men
at work putting UP flags would stop
moment to embrace, talking and laughing
OF Cuba Hbre. 1t was a general holiday
schools dismissed and workshops closed.
1t was not long before the Cuban band
was out to serenade Capt. Forsyth, com
maandant of the navy station, and the
flags are still flying, besides yards of zunt-
mayor, young physician of Key West.
whose father and grandfather had in turn
held the office before him. Theband start
ed from the Jose Marti club house, first
playing there in memory Of Marti, whose
riots.
THE DISTINGUISHED LEADER.
The procession was led by Manuel Gown
a cousin of Senior Gown in the autonomist
cabinet in Havana. But it was not this
relationship that added interest. It was
the tragedy that added interest. 1t was
hte tragedy a year ago, when Manuel Co
WINS young brother went to Cuba, a news
pape correspondent, and was shot by
Spanish soldiers in refusing to the last to
shout viva Espana"-the condition on
which they offered to spare his life. Young
Gown died with Cuba Iibre" on his lips.
Remembering this, it was not strange that
the leader of the procession was greeted
with sympathetic cheers along the streets
death is sincerely mourned by ali Cuban
patriots in Key West
The following evening, after receiving
news Of the presidents signature TO the
resolutions, there was a big torchlight pa
rade to ratify the presidents action.
American and Cuban flags waved in
pairs; there were as many transparencieg
inscribed to America as to Cuba, and the
band played among other American airs
1.-THE Star Spangled Banner" and Dixie"
Above the music and cheers for Cuba libre
were cheers for the United States, and
higher and more vigorous than all was the
voice of the small boy shouting: Viva
Mr.. Mckinley" ''Viva Mr.. Mckinley
San Carlos hall was quite too small for the
crowds to hear the speeches both in Span
ish and English. and there was the great
est enthusiasm all around. But through
out the days of rejoicing perfect order pre-
vailed, and there was the entire absence
Of all noisy or boisterous demonstration
Wherever and whenever crowds gathered
a woman could pass with ease, the crowd
instancnvely falling back with the re-
spectful Difference always shown to wo-
men in Key West, especially strangers
WORD TO MKINLEY.
AT the beginning of the celebration a tele-
gram was sent to the president Of the
United States with the offer of 1000 Key
West Cuban volunteers, and it was Man
uel Gown who asked that he be permitted
to lead them in the field One has only
to look in the mans face to see strength
and force Of character courage and lead
ership. Gown expressed the general senti-
ment among Cubans when he said
I'VE Cubans are grateful to America
and will prove IT -
In regard to his cousin in the autono-
mist cabinet, Senior Gown said:
He is my second cousin and not so long
ago he was in full sympathy with US He
was Cuban and the last time he passed
through Key West het contributed money
doubt he had a motive for the change.
But he had no more faith in autonomy
than we have. 1t is not probable that the
autonomists have taken any steps to treat
with the insurgents as reported. It would
lead to no result, for the insurgents. as
well as Spain we'll knows, will accept moth
ing short Of independence. But it would
gain time. and that is always the policy
Of Spain-to gain time. This has been
SPANS policy all along with the Unied
States"
A LEADING CUBAN.
Like many Cubans in Key West. Manuel
Gown could best serve the cause be per-
sonal influence and money contributions
to the support of the insurgents. He is re-