The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1899-01-06
American Flag Goes Up.

At this moment the band on the
plaza was playing the Spanish national
hymn. As the guns at Cabanas fortress
ceased firing there was 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 But
Ter, and that the stars and stripes we're
going up on all the other official stats
in Havana.
After second of silence the band
on the plaza played "The Star Span
gled Banner" while the guns of the
feet and fortresses began to roar out
the national salute of twenty-one guns,
Immediately Captain General Cas-
tellanos handed the manuscript of his
speech to Captain Hart and began to
speak.
Addressing himself to General
Wade, president of the United States
military commission, though he SEEM
ed to look at the floor, General Cas-
tellanos 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 l, 1899, there
ceases in Cuba Spanish sovereignty
and begins that of the United States.
In consequence declare you in COM
mand of the island, with the object
that you may exercise it, declaring to
you that ] will be frstin respecting it.
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 armies will continue
until the termination of the evacuation
of those under my orders in this terri
tory.
After Captain Hart had translated
the address General Wade said to Gen
eral Brooke: 81 transfer this command
to you"
Major General Brooke said: 81 ac-
cept this great trust in behalf of the
government and president of the
United States, and"-Addressing Cap
tain General Castellanos-'I wish you
and the gallant gentlemen with you a
pleasant return to your native land.
May prosperity attend you and all
who are with you"
Generals Brooke and Castellanos
then shook hands, after which GEN
eral Castellanos and staff retired from
the throne-room.
Meanwhile the officials of Spain
were saying farewell to their nations
seat of power in the new world. Turn
ing to his officers, General Castellanos
said with tears in his eyes:
Gentlemen-I have been in more
battle than / have hairs on my head,
and my self-possession has never
failed me until today. Adieu, gentle
men, adieu.
At the corner of the plaza, with
tears in his eyes, he turned to take a
final look at the palace. He could see
the American generals on the balcony.
Without word he turned sharply in
the direction of the wharf History
had reversed the "Last Sigh of the
Moor" At the dock Generals Clous
and Chaffee babe him farewell and the
retiring captain general put off for the
Spanish transport Rabat
Major General Brooke held recep-
ton 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, President Bar
riel at their head. Next came the mu-
nicipal authorities headed by the
mayor, aud after them the Economical
Society. Then came the firemen.
Numerous speeches were made, to all
of which General Brooke briefly re-
piled.
President Notified.
The United States military commits
sioners wired President McKinly at
1890 o'clock that the governor gener.
al OF Cuba had formerly surrendered
to the commission the government Of
Cuba and that the American flag had
been hoisted. In reply, General Wade,
/ president of the commission, received
the following:
81 congratulate the commission up
on the successful termination of it,
mission and the peaceful occupation o
+ Cuba by the United States.
| "WILLIAM McKIELEY. "
General Brooke also received tn
presidents congratulations,