Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-01-06
1T is NOW FREE CUBA.
The Stars and Stripes Raised
Over the Palace at Havana.

The Ceremonies which Marked the.En'
Of spanish fOvereignty in the 1slaD'
---Departure Of the spanish Captain
Generai---The Maine Was Remem
bered.
The simple and dignified cereunonie
which marked the end of Spanish sover
eighty in Cuba took place In the Palace a
Havana at noon on Sunday. The mass o
the population could not be admitted I,
the Palace, and the people of Havana gath
cred along the Punta, at the foot of thI
Prado and opposite Morro Castle anG
Cabanas fortress. They saw the Spanisl
colors go up on MORO and receive the sa
lutes of guns from Cabanas and from th'
American warships in the harbor. Quick
ly they saw the yelk = and red sts.ndart
come down and the rican flag floating
over MORO, Cabanas he other forts o.
the city, while they hea.d che salute in Id
honor from the Spanish artillery which
had been kept In Cabanas for that purpose
and also from the Spanish ships which
we're remaining In the harbor. They did
not see the Spanish flag fall from above
the Palace because 1t was not raised there
by The Spanish officials Sunday morning
At noon detachment of American troops
occupied the Plaza de Armas, the squart
In front OF the Palace, and stood silently
as the ceremony of the transfer of sover
eighty took place. The American com
missioners rode in on horseback from La
Vedado and proceeded directly to the Pal
ace. Captain-General Castellanos, whose
official life was drawing to a clOse, re-
ceived the commissioners in the main hall
OF the Palace, surrounded by the members
of his staff.
After their positions had been taken
General Lacret marched into the room
with his associates Of the insurgent hrmy.
They were given position of vanthge al
right angles to the others and half r. einc
them.
Promptly as the big clock in the
struck the first note Of the twelfth
came the thunder Of cannon from Cal
across the harbor. A Spanish
sounded note in the courtway beloy
Captain-General Castellanos, pale tM
lowness, advanced, meeting General
in the centre of the room.
There was moment of hushed e-
fancy as all listened for the strs
words ever pronounced within those
walls, that had known Spanish powe
glory and were now to know SPANS
initiation. General Castellanos fell
situation deeply. For a moment b.
absolutely unable 10 proceed.
rolled down his stern old face, and
he spoke his vice was broken with Ia
tion. His words, which simply AGu |
nized the results of the war and th
of Spain's sovereignty, were translate
Gen. Wade, who in the hriefest Z
possible accepted the trust given him and
announced TO Gen. Brooke that the COM
mand OF the American forces in Cuba
rested henceforth with him.
In the meantime q signal had been given
and Major Butler raised Old Glory over
the palace, which ceased at that moment
to represent Spanish power and oppres-
sion. As the Stars and Stripes foated In
the breeze two bands stationed In the plaza
played the "Star Spangled Banner" while
the troops presented arms in salute. From
thousands of throats a song of welcome
came, and whether 1t was heartfelt or not,
it was certainly long and loud. Thunders
of salutes from the harbor still continued
TO roll over the city, and from every avail
able staff the American flag was unfolded
TO receive the plaudits of the people who
during the morning had remained within
doors, but who we're now pouring into the
streets literally In thousands.
Gen. Castellanos had informed the
Americans that he would be happy to re-
ceive any one who might come to pay his
respects, but at the last moment his heart
failed him. As the simple ceremonies
closed the officers fell TO the right and left,
opening q passage to the throne room.
along which Castellanos and his aids pass
ed. Immediately strapping ON their side
arms, they filed solemnly down the stairs
to the plaza, which they crossed, accom-
panied by Gen. Clous and Capt. Hart, 70
the harbor front, where they took launches
for the steamship Ribot, which later took
Gen. Castellanos to Matanzas.
AS they departed the American troops
all stood at attention. No voice was raised
in exultation, the grief Of the conquered
being respected. As the party approached
the water front woman appeared upon
the balcony of building. shook out the
Spanish flag, and in shrill tones cried
viva Espanar'
Gen. Castellanos and his aids halted, sa-
luted their flag and with tear broken voices
gave three feeble "Vivas." AS they enter
ed their launch they were all sobbing as
though broken hearted Gen. Castellanos'
last words after bidding goodby to Gen.
Clous were that he should never again set
foot on Cuban soil, but should live while
at Matanzas and Cienfuegos on board the
Ribot.
At the harbor front marines from the
cruiser Brooklyn formed a guard of honor
for the Castellanos party, escortlng them
through thousands who had gathered to
bid them goodby. The marines also ac-
companied the Spaniards in second launch
to the RIbot.
After the withdrawal of the Spanish off,
cials Ger, Lacret made brief speech, in
which pledged the loyalty of the Cuban
troops and people in giving every assist
ance to the American forces in establish
ing In Cuba an independent government.
Gen. Brooke responded, evading the deli
cate reference to Cuban independence.
The most spectacular incident within
the Palace was when the bombaras, Hava-
mas firemen, dressed in full uniform,
crowded into the reception room unex-
pectedly and gave three rousing cheers for
s'Los Americanos." They captured Gen.
Brooke's heart, and the genial old \ neral
shook hands all around with them.
A hurried inspection of the palace was
made, showing that the Spaniards before
their departure had stripped the rooms OF
everything save broken lot of furniture.