The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-05-24

week, the following account of which
is given by an American correspon-
dant on duty at Havana.
The natal day of the republic Of
Cuba found Havana arrayed like
queen to await the coming Of her
lord. She seemed reinvested for the
occasion with the dignity of the
prosperous days Of her power and
wealth. The decorations we're uni
yersal. In some cases men had
worked all night, by the light Of
torches to complete elaborate designs
There was not a residence, preten-
tious or humble, that did not bear
upon its quaint facade some emblem
in honor of the event. The many
arches erected at the entrances Of
plazas by political societies, fraternal
clubs, residents Of various civil divis-
ions of the city and business organ
izations had an air of real grandeur.
The scaffolding was covered with
canvass painted in imitation of
marble, and from a distance the
illusion was complete. Bunting spread
on venetian masts canopied the deep,
narrow streets from the rays of the
sun. Beneath these canopies the
cuban colorS and palms graced the
open door ways, through which
glimpses could be caught of luxuriant
gardens, in cool, inner courts. Many
of the balconies jutting from the
white walled buildings were adorned
with roses.
Nature seemed In harmony with
the spirit of the festivities. The
parks were literally aaame with
tropical flowers, and the yaulted sky
above might have been chiseled out
of turquoise. Above every red, tiled
roof rose a Cuban flag. The whole
city seemed suddenly buried beneath
a forest Of waving banners.
The decorations along the water
front we're exceedingly lavish, and all
the shipping in the harbor was
dressed in gala attire. The majority
of the ships flew the American ensign
at the main, and the Cuban colors at
the fore or mizzen. The United
States armored cruiser Brooklyn,
which was sent to take General Wood
way, and the steamer Moro Castle,
of the Ward line, on which the troops
were to embark, as well as the foreign
warships which had been sent by
their governments to be present at
the birth Of the new republic, were
gaily decorated.
During the early morning many
troops of school children marched into
the Plaza de Armas, ranged them
selves before the palace and sang ar
American anthem.
! At 10 O'Clock a delegation from The
Central Veterans Club presented
, General Wood with handsome
machete, having a beautifully engraved
hilt. It has the Cuban coat Of arm
: and a single gold star on one side, anc
: the generals initials on the othe
: in gold,
The palace is an imposing yellow
/ stone structure, the upper stories o
its front being built over ston
colonade, giving it a fine architect
ural effect. Fox centuries it was tn
S residence Of the captains general 0
S Spain. Since the American occupa
7 tion it has been the official headquar
S ters Of the military governor |
e fronts an exquisite park, the Place d
$ Armas, with its stately royal palm
e and species Of banyau trees calle
/ 'laurels Of India" In the center is
0 fine marble statue Of Ferdinand VII
2 Through the center Of the building
an archway leads, as in all Spans
palaces, to the court, where
: statue Of Columbus arises from
Q mass Of palms and towering plants
j on either side OF the entrance marbl
d stairways ascend to the audlenc
q room, which opens through balconie
I windows upon the plaza.
IS In this chamber the actual transfe
occurred. 1t is an imposing room