The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-01-14
SPANISH SOVEREIGNTY FOREVER
ENDED.
Affecting Scene When General Castel-
lanos Transferred the Pearl of the
Antilles" to General Brooke.

HAVANA, January 1.-The event so
long and eagerly looked for has oc-
Cured and Spanish sovereignty is for
ever ended. At noon today detach-
ments of American troops occupied the
Plaza de Armas, the square in front of
the palace, and stood silent and i'm
movable as the ceremony of the trans
fer of sovereignty took place.
The American commissioners rode in
on horseback from San Venado and
proceeded direct to the palace. Captain
General Castellanos received the COM
missioners in the main hall of the pal
ace, surrounded by members of his per-
sonal staff. After a brief exchange of
salutations, General Castellanos deliv
cred the island of Cuba to General
Wade. General Wade made a brief re-
ply and Immediately turned the island
over to General Brooke, the military
governor.
Just at this moment the Spanish flag
which had tloated over Cuba for 400
years, was lowered from the palace,
Cabanas fortress, MORO Castle and all
public buildings AS the red and yell
low emblems sunk from their staffs,
General Castellanos was profoundly
moved. He turned pale and said with
tears in his eyes: Gentlemen, l have
been in many battles; | have seen
death near me several times, but l new
now"
AS the Spanish flag was lowered tt
was replaced by the stars and stripes,
and IS the latter tloateu to the breeze
it was saluted with twenty-one guns.
Tears choked the utterances of General
Castellanos as he heard the deep voiced
guns roaring a welcome to the flag Of
the cOnquerOr.
After a while he controlled himself
a nd n
ment of my life. l wish that no one of
you will ever suffer what | am suffer-
ing now"
The Cuban Generals Mayia, Rodri-
guez, Marco. Menocal and Rafael de
Cardenas, were present at the palace
during the ceremony of surrender.
General Castellanos saw them there
and asked that he be introduced to
them. The British consul introduced
them, whereupon Gen. CastellanOs re-
marked II am sorry, gentlemen, that
we have been enemies, having the same
| blood"
Sir" answered General Menocal
we fought for Cuba, ana now that she
! is free, we are no longer enemies
General Castellanos shook hands
with the three Cuban leaders, and al
animosity seemed to have been for
| gotten.
HAVANA, January LIN the follow.
! ing words General Castelanos today
| formally transferred sovereignty ovel
| Cuba to the American officers.
| Gentlemen: In compliance with tn,
| treaty of Paris, the agreement of the
military commissioners of the island
| and orders of my king at this moment
of noon, January l, 1899, there ceases il
Cuba Spanish sovereignty and begins
that of the United States. In conse
quence, l declare you in command O
the island, with the object that yoI
may exercise it, declaring to you tha
l will be first in respecting it. Peace
having been established between oul
respective governments, I promise yOl
to give all due respect to the United
| States government and hope that tn,
good relations already existing betweel
our countries will continue until th
termination of the evacuation of thOs,
| under my orders in this territory"