Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-01-07

Havana, Jan. 2.-The sovereignty Of
Cuba passed from Spain to the Uni
ted states at noon yesterday The form
Of the transfer was simple, consisting
only of an exchange OF speeches in the
salon OF the palace, the hauling down
of the Spanish flag and the raising In
its stead Ct the flag Of the United
States on the flagstaff on the palace
roof. Statutes we're fred from the heavy
guns Of the forts and the warships be-
fore and after the change OF flags The
raising of the stars and Stripes was
greeted with cheers by the people who
covered the roofs of the buildings
around the palace and plaza.
Generals Wade and Butler, of the
American evacuation commission, were
the first to arrive at the palace, where
they were met by General Clous and
Major Mott. Then followed Generals
Brooke and Chaffee and a number Of
Cuban generals As they passed along
the Spanish troops presented arms and
the band played The Stars and Stripes
Forever" Then came General Fftz-
hugh Lee and his staff. who Joined Cen
eral Brooke.
generals went to the salon facing the
plaza. which is on the second floor.
Here were gathered the members of the
captain generals staff.
Suddenly Captain General Castellanos
entered the salon without ceremony
from the left and greeted General
Brooke and others After shaking
hands General Brooke sat upon sofa,
while General Castellanos moved to-
wards the group of Cuban generals.
British Vice Consul Jerome introduced
him to General Maya Rodriguez. Shak-
ing both the hands of the Cuban officer.
in the usual Spanish fashion, General
Castellanos said:
We have been enemies, but / re-
spect you for your correct attitudes
and opinions / have pleasure in shak-
ing your hand"
General Rodriguez replied. 81 thank
you. general. / feel sorry for the Span
ish army which has defended the ban
ner 1t was sworn to defend | also
have pleasure in shaking your hands"
At the last stroke of u the boom Of
gun brought air eyes to the point in
the room where stood the captain gem
eral, who was talking with an Ameri-
can officer. Immediately all was ST.
lence. The captain general stepped to
the left, taking his position directly in
front of his staff.
AT this moment the band on the plaza
was playing the Spanish national hymn
As the guns at Cabanas fortress ceased
firing there was a breathless pause in
the salon. Everybody knew that the
American flag was being raised on the
staff on the roof of the palace by Major
Butler, son of General Butler, and that
the Stars and Stripes was going up on
all the other Official stats in Havana.
After this second Of silence the band on
the plaza played 1.-The Star Spangled
Banner" while the guns of the fleet
and fortresses began to roar out the
national salute of II guns.
Immediately Captain General Castel-
1anos handed the manuscript of his
speech to Captain Hart and began to
speak.
Addressing himself to Major General
Wade, president of the United States
military commission, though he seemed
to look at the floor, General Castel-
lanos said:
Gentlemen; In compliance with the
treaty of Paris, the agreement of the
military commissioners of the island
and the orders OF my king, at this mo
ment of noon. Jan. L. 1899. there ceases
In Cuba Spanish sovereignty and begins
that of the United States. In conclu-
sion. I declare you in command of the
island, with the object that you may
exercise it, declaring to you that / will
be first in respecting ii. Peace having
been established between our respective
governments. l promise you to give all
due respect to the United States gov
eminent and I hope that the good re-
lations already existing between our
armies will continue until the termina-
ton of the evacuation of those under
nay orders in this territory"
After Captain Hart had translated
the address General Wade said to Gen
eral Brooke:
IT transfer this command to you"
Major General Brooke said:
Il accept this great trust in behalf OF
the government ana president OF The
United States and addressing Captain
General CasJellanos) / wish you and
the gallant gentlemen with you a
pleasant return to your native lana.
May prosperity attend you and all who
are with you
Generals Brooke and Castcllanos
then shook hands. after which General
Castelanos and STAFF retired from the
throne room. As he bid farewell to his
officers General CastelIanos said. with
tears in his eyes: Gentlemen l have
been in more battles than l have hairs
On my head, and my self possession hes
never failed &-n un,il today. AUi5.
gentlemen, aGieu."
Then he movad swiftly toward .1e
stairway. escorted by General ChaMee,
and .UOWld by his stsN IS he ut..
ed the plaza the American ladies UAo
were standing i'm the balcony of the