Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-21


slight figure.
General Wood entered the chamber
after all were assembled. Greetings
We're exchangd informally and the best
of good feeling was displayed.
The transfer occurred exactly at
noon. The ceremony was brief and
simple. Gen. Wood and Senior Palma
faced each other. General Gomez stood
Immediately behind his future Presi-
dent in an open space, around which
clustered the other witnesses Of the
birth of the republic Mr. Bryan was
in the first row Of spectators. In low
but clear voice Gen. Wood read his let
ter turning over the island to the Gu
ban government.
General Wood then handed Senior
Palma President Roosevelts letter.
President Palama, who hardly reached
to Gen. Woods shoulder, had listened
patiently to the reading and he imme-
diately replied in Spanish, replying as
Gen. Wood had done the formal ac-
Ceptance of the conditions imposed.
The Presidents voice rose until it rang
through the chamber as he declared his
government accepted the responsible
ties OF sovereignty.
The formal transfer was now over,
but President P.ilma added a few
words in English expressive of his deep
sense of gratitude TO the American
government and of his personal thanks
to Gen. Wood, to which the latter re-
sponded in a most cordial spirit.
In the meantime there transpired n
scene outside the palace to stir the
pulses and live forever in the memory Of
those who witnessed it. For one hour
before noon 10000 people mad stood with
eyes glued on the American flag floating
over the palace. Every balcony, window
door and street around the palace and
every roof, even those mile away which
commanded a sight of the fiagpole, was
thronged with humanity
As the time approached for the flag to
be lowered, several premature demon
STATIONS occurred. But these were mere
whispers compared with the volume Of
sound which burst forth when the Amer
lean flag was hauled down at 10 minutes
past II by Lieut.. Mccoy Of General
Woods staff ANA two troopers Of the It'll
Cavalry.
A roar went up from the populacc
an echo, came the distant boom of one
Of the great guns. The American flag
had been lowered at Cabanas ana from
the forts around the city simultaneously
with the one over the palace. Bells and
giant firecrackers added their din.
All this was kept up for five minutes
until the Cuban flag was hoisted, when
the salute was repeated. The Cuban
bands on the plaza and other places in
the city played, while the guns Of the
ships Numbered the strength Of war. But
it was the demonstration of the people
that overshadowed all the rest. Women
waved handkerchiefs, fans ana parasOIs.
Men jumped up and down for JOY and ev-
erybody embraced his neighbor The
crowds shouted vivas for the United
States, for President Palma, for General
Gomez ANA for General Wood. ANA it WAS
10 minutes before the storm Of sound be
gan to subside.
As the flag flew free the streets be
low fairly waved with the cheer that
arose. II was caught up by the peo-
PIE on the roofs and rolled over the
city. Again the cavalry below Saluted,
and again the guns of Cabanas spoke,
this time with Il national salute of 2l
guns. The bands stationed on the
plaza at CabanaS and ut Malson rush
ed ont with pride OF country and the
revenue cutters ana battleShipS in the
harbor numbered the strength of war.
The foreign Warsnius hoisted the flag
Of cuba to their mastheads and be
slowed upon it the honors due to the
nation. The ersisns Of Great Britain
and Italy had recognized the republic.
The demonstration was still in
progress when the cavalry wheeled
ana marched to he wharf. where they
Immediately embarked ON the Moro
Castle.
Gen. Wood ana Adjutant GeneraI
col. Scott, with Two aides, after n last
exchange of good wishes. were driven
to the pier where they entered a launch
ana were hicked away to the Brook
lyn. Both ships got under way as soon
rs possible and steamed out Of the
harbor. The man ut the taffrail Of the
Brooklyn was kept busy dipping the
flag in answer to the saluteS of the
thousands upon the water front who
watched her departure. The demon
stration was remarkable in many re-
spects.
While this was occurring at Havana
a similar scene was being enacted at
Santiago, where Gen. Whitcside ut
noon turned over the authority to his
Cuban successor and sailed away with
the troops of the Sth Cavalry.
Only eight batteries Of American ar
tillery remained on Cuban soil. a chap
ter of American history was ended. and
the first chapter Of the history of the
Cuban republic was begun.
Before the Brooklyn was hull down
on the horizon the Cubans resumed
their festivities.
This afternoon, there was yacht re-
gatta in the harbor. and on shore there
was a review of 14.O00 school children
by President Palma.
At noon a solemn high mass in honor
of the new republic was celebrated in
all churches, and at 4 O'clock Il TIE
Deum was sung at the cathedral. At
the same hour the Cuban Congress
proclaimed the constitution.
Tonight, the whole city was illumi-
mated and great pyrotechnic display
made from the walls of MORO Castle
and Cabanas fortress.
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