Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1899-01-11
CUBA ATLASTIS rs FREE
STARS AND STRIPES RAISED
OVER HAVANA.
Spanish Authority Is Re1inquishcd
an the Island and the United States
Assumes ControI-Captain General
Weeps-Cubans Frantic with Joy.

Spain's rule in the new world is ended.
On the first day of the new year the Stars
and Stripes went up over Moro prison,
over the Fortress of Cabanas, and over
the palace, which has represented Span
ish royalty in this new world. Spanish
transports loaded with Spanish soldiers
and steamer carrying the captain gem
eral and his staff dropped down Havana
harbor and stood out to sea while the Sew
enth army corps was marching along the
Pradc in the heart of the Cuban capital.
From the one tall mast that protrudes
from TIE tangled wreck of the Maine the
American flag was flying. Captain Sigs-
bee, who had commanded the ship when
treachery destroyed it, himself rugged up
| flag anG flew it from the wreck to show
that America had remembered the
Maine"
The event so long and eagerly looked
for has occurred and Spanish sovereignty
in the island of Cuba is forever ended.
At noon detachment of American troops
occupied the Plaza de Armas, the square
in front of the palace and stood silent
and immovable as the ceremony of the
| transfer 0f sovereignty took place. The
American commissioners rode in ON horse
back from La Nedado and proceeded di-
rect to the palace. Captain General Cas-
telianos, whose Official life was rapidly
drawing to a close, received the commits
sioners in the main hall of the palace,
surrounded by the members of his staff,
all of whom were attired in gorgeous
uniforms. After a brief exchange of salu-
tations Gen. Castellanos said: According
TO the protocol of peace, signed Aug. II, /,
obeying the orders of the Government of
her Catholic majesty, the Queen Regent
of Spain, in the name of her son, his ma
Jesty, the King, deliver the island of Cuba
to the Government of the United States,
represented by your commission
Gen. Wade made a brief reply, and i'm
mediately turned the island over to Gen.
this moment the Spanish flag, which had
i1oated over Cuba for 400 years, was low
coed from the palace, the Cabanas fort
ress, Moro Castle and all the public
buildings. AS the red and yellow emblems
sank from their staffs Senior Castellanos
was profoundly moved. He turned pale
and said, with tears in his eyes: Gentle
men, l have been in many battles. L
have seen death near me several times,
but l never felt such profound emotion as
l feel now"
With that he turned and went to his
room. Shortly afterward he appeared
carrying a small satchel. He was follow
ed by his son and his staff. Gen. Brooke
took him by the arm and said few kind
words to him, walking with him to the
| door of the palace. AS he entered the
| Plaza de Armas from under the porch Of
the palace the American soldiers, in re-
sponse to quick word of command, pre-
sented arms and the officers saluted with
their swords. As the eX-captain general
walked toward the water front from
across the plaza an American military
band played the royal Spanish march.
Gen. Clous accompanied Gen. Castellanos
to the Muelle de Cavalleria. where boat
was waiting to convey him to the steamer
Rabbat