Hutchinson gazette., 1899-01-05


roar out the national salute Of twenty
ono guns,
Immediately Captain General Cas-
tellanos handed the manuscript OF his
speech 10 Captain Hart and began TO
speak, Amid tho strains of tho band
and the noise Of tho guns II was Inn
possible TO hear him. "Close the win
dows," said some one, and tho case
mcnts were closed; but the sound Of
the cheering still vlslbly disturbed the
captain general.
Addressing himself to Major General
Wade, president OF the United States
military commission, though he seemed
TO look at the floor, General Castella-
nos 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, January 1, 1909, there
ceases In Cuba Spanish sovereignty and
begins that OF the United States. In
consequence declare you In command
Of the island, with tho object that
you may exercise II, declaring to you
that will be first In respecting 1t,
Peace having been established between
our respective governments, promise
you TO give all due respect to the
United States government and hope
that the good relations already exist
ing between our countries will con-
tlnue until tho termination of the
evacuation OF those under my orders
in this territory"
After Captain Hart had translated
tho address, General Wade said TO
General Brooke; II transfer this COM
mand TO you.'
Major General Brooke said: ~ ac-
cept this great trust In behalf Of the
government, and President Of the
United States, and addressing Captain
General Castellanos), l wish you and
tho gallant gentlemen with you q
pleasant return to your native land.
May prosperity attend you and oil
who are with you"
General Brooke In Command.
Generals Brooke and Castellanos then
hook hands, aftor which General Cas-.
sellanos and staff retired from the
chrome room, shaking hands with Mr..
Jerome, who stood near the door Of
exit, AS they retired there was
movement toward General Brooke,
Brigadier General Clous shaking him
by the hand and saying; "Success to
you" Generals Brooke and Chatfee,
with others, then stepped upon the
balcony and looked down upon the
plaza, A big American flag flying
over the arsenal was in full view, and
farther away the stars and stripes
could be seen over Cabanas fortress.
Meanwhile the officials of Spain were
saying farewell to their nations scat
OF power in the new world,
Turning to his officers, General Cas-
tellanos said with tears in his eyes:
Gentlemen, have been in more
battles than l have hairs on my head
and my self-possession has never
failed me until to-day. Adieu gentle
men, adieu."
Then, with arms upraised, he moved
swiftly toward the stairway, escorted
by General Chaffee and followed by
his staff. As he crossed the plaza the
American ladies who were standing in
the balcony Of the barracks waved
their handlkerchiofs and General Cas-.
tellanos responded by bowling and
kissing his hand toward them. At the
corner OF the plaza; with tears in his
eyes, he turned to take a final look Mt
the palace. He could sec the Ameri-
can generals on the balcony,
Without q word he turned sharply
in the direction of the wharf. History
had reversed "the last sigh OF the
Moor" At the dock Generals Cloud
and Chaffee bade him farewell and the
retiring captain general put Off for the
Spanish transport Rabat, on which he
will proceed to Matanzas. He will be
accompanied by battalion OF the
Thirty eighth infantry.
Major General Brooke held recep-
tion in the palace salon, the various
officials paying their respects and
promising allegiance to the United
States. First came the doctors Of the
University Of Havana, at their head
President BARREL All wore black
silk and velvet gowns and small black
silk caps with yellow tassels. All
barred their heads and bowed low.
Next came the municipal authorities,
headed by the mayor, and after them
the economical society, formerly an
advisory board to the captain-general,
with Senior Alfredo Zayas, Its presi-
dent, leading. Then came the firemen.
Numerous speeches were made, to all
Of which General Brooke replied
briefly,
At the close OF the reception the
Cuban generals were introduced,
The only lady who witnessed The
scene in tho salon was Mrs, John
Adams Fair Of Boston, who was ush-
cred into the palace by mistake. When
she was about to retire Colonel Gelpl,
tho captain.generals chief Of staff,
begged her to remain All the other
ladies were assigned places in the bal.
conv of the barracks overlooking the