The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-06
OUR FLAG OVER FREE CUBA
FORMAL TRANSFER OF TIIE ISLAND
TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY. s-.
The Ceremony of Raising Old Glory In
Place of the Emblem OF Spain Witness
ed by Cheering Throng-Krtirlng
Captain General CastellnnoB
Moved to Tears-Amcri-
... can Troops on Parade
Leo Cheered. ..
(New York SUM

coiho w XII ouu COuHy. AL noon u &C.
tachment Of American troops occu-
pied the Plaza dc Armas, tho square
in front of the Palace, and stood
silently as the transfer Of sovereignty
took place. The American Commls.
missioners rode in on horseback from
La Vedado and proceeded directly
to the Palace. Captain General
Castellanos, whose official life was
drawing to close, received tho Com
missioners in tho main hall Of The
Palace, surrounded by the members
of his staff. After brief exchange
Of salutations, Gen. Castellanos
said:
"According to. the protocol of
peace, signed August IL, I, obeying
the orders Of the Government of her
Catholic Majesty the Queen Regent
Of Spain, in the name Of Eer son,
his Majesty the King, deliver the is
land of Cuba to tho Government of
the United States, represented by
your commission"
Gen. Wade made q brief roply,
and Immediately turned the control
Of the island over to Gen. Brooke,
the Military Governor.
At this moment the Spanish flag,
which had foated over Cuba for 400
years, was lowered from the Palace,
the Cebanas Fortress, Moro Castle
and all the public buildings. AS tho
red and yellow emblems sank from
their staffs Gen. Castellauos was
moved to tears. He said: "Gentle-
men, have been in many battles l
have seen death near me several
times, but never felt such profound
emotion as l feel now"
With that he turned and went to
his room. Shortly afterward he re-
appeared, carrying small satchel
He was followed by his son and his
staff. Gen. Brooke took him by the
arm and said a few kind words to
hun, walking with him to the door
of the Palace. AS he entered the
4'laza de Armas from under the
porch Of the Palace the American
soldiers presented arms and the Off
cers saluted. AS the ex:Captain-
General walked across the plaza an
American military band played the
royal Spanish march.
Gen. Clous accompanied Gen.
Castellanos to the Muelle de Caval-
leria, who're boat was waiting to
convey him to the steamer Rabat.
AS the Spanish flag was lowered
it was replaced by the Stars and
Str; pes, and as tho latter foated to
the breeze it was salutated with
twenty one guns.
Tears choked the utterances of
Con. Castellanos as he heard the
guns roaring welcome to the flag
of the United States. After he con-
trolled himself he said: "This is tho
most bitter moment of my life.
hope that no ono of you will ever
suffer what | am suffering now"
Gen. Clous embraced him and
shouted: "Viva Espana."
General Castellanos answered:
"Thnnks, you are too kind" Then
he jumped into the boat, which i'm
m"diately started for the steamer on
which he will proceed to Mantanzas.
The Cuban Generals Mayia Rod
riguez, Mario Menocal and Rafael
dc Cardenas, who had been invited
by Gen. Brooke, were present at the
Palace during the ceremony of sur
render Gen. Castellanos saw them
there and asked to be presented to
them. The British Consul intro
duced them, whereupon Con. Cas-
tellanos said: 81 am sorry, gentle.
men, that we have been enemies,
having the same blood"
"Sir," answered Gen. Menocal,
eve fought for Cuba. Now that she
is free we are no longer eneMies."
Gen. Castellanos shook hands with
the three Cuban leaders
After tho American flag had been
hoisted the bands played The Ameri-
can national hymn, and this was