Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-03

tne ieft, and greeted General Brooke an,
others After shaking hands. Genera
brooke sat upon a sofa. while Genera
Castellanos moved toward the group o.
cuban generals. British Vice-Consul Je
rome introduced him to General MayIs
Rodriguez. Shaking both the hands OF
the Cuban officer, in the usual Spanist
fashion, General Castellanos sid:
I'VE have been enemies, but | respect
you for your correct attitudes and onin
ions. have pleasure in shaking you
hand"
General Rodriguez replied:
i thank you. Gencsal feel sorry 20,
the spanish army, Ehich has defended IN,
~ ~panher II was sworn to defend. /. also
nave pressure IN shaking your hands"
WAITING FOR THE GUNS.
Captain-Generai Castellanos then tool
LIE m.s position near MaJor-General Brooke
Inc Duzz or conversation on tho American
s, siuo Oh the chamber contrasted with tn,
silence on the Spanish side.
Ihere was marked difference too
between Americans and Span.ards-th,
lo,Iher tall heavy, and wearing much
goid cord; the latter small and slight. In
oiue striped cambric uniforms The Span
iafds were depressed, the Americans were
correspondingy buoyant.
At the last stroke of 12 the boom of 8
gun brought all eyes to the point in IN,
room where stood the Captain-General
VINO was talking with an American officer
Immediately all was silence. The Can.
tain-General stepped to the left. taking
ms position directly In front of his staff
oh ms right stood Captain j. s. Hart
interpreter to the United States Military
commission. Next to Captain 4.art. in
L..
Brooke, Ludlow, Lee Wade, Butler. and
Clous. Immediately behind General
Cnaffee was Senator John w. Daniel, OF
Virginia
At this moment the band on the plaza
was playing the Spanish national hymn.
AS the guns -vf Cabanas fortress ceased
firing there was breathless pause In the
salon Everybody knew that the Ameri-
can flag was being raised on the staff
on the roof Of the palace by Major But
Ter, son Of General Butler, and that the
Stars and Stripes were going up on all
the other official STATS in Habana. After
this second of silence the band on the
plaza played The Star Spangled Banner. "
while the guns of the feet and fortresses
began to roar out the national salute of
twenty-one guns.
CASTELLANOS YIELDS COMMAND.
nos handed the manuscript of his speech
to Captain Hart and began to speak.
Amid the strains of the band and the
noise Of the guns 1t was impossible TO hear
him. CLOSE the windows" said some one
and the easements were closed; but the
sound of the cheering still visibly dis
turbed the Captain-General.
Addressing himself 70 Major-General
Wade, president of the United States Nil
itary Commission, though he seemed TO
look at the floor. General Castellanos 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 moment o,
noon, January l. 1899. there ceases In
Cuba Spanish sovereignty and begins that
Of the United States. In consequence, /
declare you in command of the island
with the object that you may exercise it,.
declaring TO you that | will be first in
respecting it, Peace having been estab-
lished between our respective govern
ments, l promise you to give all due re-
spect TO the United States Government.
and l hope that the good relations al
ready existing between our armies VIII
continue until the termipatiOn of the
evacuation of those under my orders In
this territory"
After Captain Hart had translated the
address, General Wade said to General
Brooke:
II transfer this command to YOU"
Major-General Brooke said
II accept this great trust In behalf OF
the Government and President OF the
United States and addressing Captain
General CastellanOs) ] wish you and the
gallant gentlemen with you pleasant
return to your native land. May pros
perity attend you and all who are with
you"
SPANISH COMMANDERS FAREWELL.
Generals Brooke and Castelanos then
shook hands after which General Castel-
lanOs and staff retired from the throne
room, shaking hands with Mr. jerome,
who stood near the door of exit. AS they
retired there was a movement toward
General Brooke, Brigadier-General Clous
shaking him by the hand and saying:
success to you" Generals Brooke and
Chaffee. 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 streamed
over Cabanas fortress. Meanwhile, the
officials of Spain were saying farewell to
their nations seat Of power in the New
World.
Turning TO his officers, General Castel-
amos said. with tears in his eyes:
Gentlemen. | have been in more bat
les than / have hairs on my head, ana
ny seif-possession has never failed me
intil to-day. Adieu gentlemen, adieu."
Then, with arms upraised he moved
witty toward the stairway, escorted by
General Chaffee and followed by his staff.
IS he crossed the plaza the American Ia
lies who were standing on the balcony
II the barracks waved their handker-
hiefs. and General '~astellanos respond
"a by bowling and kissing his hand to-
yard them. At the corner of the plaza,
.ith tears I'm his eyes, he turned 10 take
final look at the palace. He could see
he American generals on the balcony.
Without a word he turned sharply I'm
he direction of the wharf. History had
eversed "the last sigh of the Moor Al
he dock Generals Clous and Chaffee bade
I'm farewell and the retiring Captain
ieneral put off for the Spanish transport
.abat. on which he will proceed TO Ma
anzas. lie will be accompanied by bat
alton Of the Thirty-eighth Infantry.
BROOKE HOLDS A RECEPTION.
Major General Brooke held reception
! the palace salon, the various officials
aging their respects and promising allie
lance TO the United States. First came
ne doctors OF the University OF Habana.
1 the head President BARREL. All wore
lack silk and velvet gowns and small oc-
agonal black silk caps, with yellow tas-
lis. All barred their heads and bowed low.
Next came the municipal authorities
leaded by the Mayor and after them the
Economical Society. formerly an adviso-
Y board to the Captain-General with
enor Alfredo Zayas, its president, lead
ng. Then came the firemen. Numerous |
peeches were made, to all of which Cen
raj Brooke replied briefly.