The record-union., 1899-01-02
Captain General castellanos was a,

breakfast at 10 O'Clock to the mem
bers Of his staff and had spent the rest
Of the morning virtually alone, looking
at the Americans from the balcony.
The Americans now grouped themselves
near a large mirror between the two
central windows, the Spanish staff be-
ing on the right, while on the left were
the American stats, the Cuban Cen
erals and the correspondents.
Suddenly Captain General Castellanos
entered the saloon without ceremony
from the left and greeted General
Brooke and others. After shaking
hands, General Brooke sat on sofa
while General Castellanos moved
towards the group Of Cuban Generals
British Vice Consul Jerome introduced
him to General Mayia Rodriguez. Shak-
ing both the hands of the Cuban Off
Ger, in the usual Spanish fashion, Gen.
eral Castellanos said: ave have been
enemies, but I respect you for your cor
rect attitudes and opinions. I have
pleasure in shaking your hand"
General Rodriguez replied: 81
thank you, General. I feel sorry for
the Spanish army, which has defended
the banner it was sworn to defend.
also have pleasure in shaking your
hand"
Captain General Castellanos took his
position near Major General Brooke.
The buzz Of conversation on the Amer
lean side of the chamber contrasted
with the silence on the Spanish side.
There was a marked difference between
the Americans and Spaniards, the form
err tall, heavy and wearing much gold
cord; the latter small and slight in
their striped cambria uniforms of blue.
The Americans were buoyant and the
Spaniards depressed
At the last stroke of IL, the boom of
a gun brought all eyes to the point in
the room where stood the Captain Cen
eral, who was talking with an Amer
lean officer. Immediately all was 81
lence. The Captain General stepped
to the left, taking his position directly
in front of his staff On his right stood
Captain J. S. Hart, interpreter to the
United States Military Commission.
Next to him in the order named. Cen
erals Chaffee, Brooke, Ludlow, Lee.
Wade. Butler and Clous. Immediately
behind General Chaffee was Senator
John w. Daniel of Virginia.
AT this moment the band of the plaza
was playing the Spanish anthem. AS
the guns at Cabanas fortress ceased
firing there was a breathless silence in
the saloon. Everybody knew that the
American flag was being raised on the
palace by Major Butler, son of Cen
eral Butler, and that the Stars and
Stripes We're going up on all the other
official STATS in Havana After this
second of silence, the band on the plaza
played ''The Star-Spangled Banner -
while the guns of the feet and fortress
began to roar out the national salute
of twenty-one guns
Immediately Captain General Castel-
lanos handed his manuscript to Major
General wade and began to speak. Ow-
ing TO the noise of the guns and the
strains of the band it was impossible to
hear him.
The easements We're closed, but the
sound of the cheering still visibly dis
turbed 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 orders of my King at this
moment, at noon, January /, 1899. there
ceases in Cuba, Spanish sovereignty
and begins that of the United States
In consequence, I declare you in COM
mand of the island with the object that
you may exercise it, declaring to you
that 1 Will be first in respecting it.
Peace having been established be-
tween our respective Governments. I
promise you to give all due respect to
the United States Government and hope
that the good relations already existing
between our countries will continue
until the termination Of the evacuation
of those under my orders in this Ter
ritory."
After Captain Hart had translated
the address, General Wade said to Cen
eral Brooks: Il transfer this command
to you"
Major General Brooke said: ct ac-
cept this great trust, in behalf of the
Government and President of the Unit
ed States, and addressing Captain Cen
eral Casteflanos) I wish you and the
gallant gentlemen with you a pleasant
return to your native land May pros
perity attend you and all who ara with
you"
Generals Brooke and Castellanos then
shook hands, after which General Cas-
tellanos and staff retired from the
throneroom, shaking hands with Mr..
Jerome, who stood near the door. AS
they retired there was a movement
toward General Brooke, Brigadier Cen
eral Clous taking 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 could be seen over
Cabanas fortress. The officials of the
spanish We're saying farewell to their
reign of power.
Turning to his officers, General CasteI-
lanos said, with tears in his eyes: Gen
.lemen, have been in more battles
than l have hairs on my head and my
if-possession has never failed me un-
I'll to-day. Adieu, gentlemen; adieu."
he moved along slowly to the stair
way, followed by his staff. AS he
crossed the plaza the American ladies'
Who We're standing on the balcony of
the barracks. waved their handkerchiefs
and General Castellanos responded by
poWing and kissing his hands toward
them At the corner of the plaza. with
tears In his eyes, he turned to take
nnal look at the palace. He could see
the American Generals on the balcony
Without word he turned and walked
away His story had reversed "the
last sigh of the Moor"
AT the dock Generals Clous and Chat