Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1902-05-22
REPUBLIC OF CUBA
FORMAL TRANSFER OF GOVERN.
MENT OCCURS AT HAVANA.

Former Governor General Hcsts the
Cuban Flag in Its Place as Act of
the United States-AmericaE Troops
Sail for Home.
Havana, May 21.-The United States
has redeemed her promise to the
world. Havana and Santiago de Cuba
were yesterday evacuated by Amer.
lean troops, the reins of power were
handed over to President Palma and
now the government of Cuba is free
and the whole island is delirious with
joy. Dramatic as was the demonstra-
ton when the flag of the United
States was lowered and the flag of
the new republic hoisted in it's place
at noon yesterday on the palace
whence Spain had ruled the island for
centuries, it was hardly more stirring
than the magnificent friendly demon.
stration which attended the depart
ure of the cruiser Brooklyn as she
sailed out of Havana harbor a few
minutes before o'clock yesterday
afternoon.
Genral Leonard Wood personally
hauled down the American colors
which were saluted, and with his own
hands hoisted the Cuban flag, as an
act of the United States, General Co.
mez assisting. The cheering which
followed was caught up by the people
on the roofs and rolled over the city.
he 1r1y hn1 col,
again the guns of Cabanas spoke, this
time with national salute of 81 guns
The bands stationed on the plaza at
Cabanas and at Malecon crashed out
with pride of country and the revenue
cutters and battleships in the harbor
Numbered their strength of war. The
foreign warships hoisted the flag of
Cuba to their mastheads. The en-
signs of Great Britain and Italy had
recognized the republic.
The demonstration was still In
progress when the cavalry wheeled
and marched to the wharf, where they
embarked on the MORO Castle.
General Wood, with his adjutant
general and two aides. were driven to
the pier, where they entered launch
and were ficked away to the Brook.
lyn. Both ships got under way as
soon as possible and steamed out of
the harbor.
The anchorage of the Brooklyn
was near the wreck Of the battleship
Maine, whose black, shrunken skeleton
was decorated with American and Gu.
ban flags by order of the city council.
When the beautiful cruiser steamed
slowly by this pitiful memory the en-.
sign at her taffrail was dipped and
the sailors generally doffed their caps
The man at 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. A large flo
tilla of various water craft escorted
the Brooklyn to sea.
Before the Brooklyn was hull down
on the horizon the Cubans resumed
their festivities. There was a yacht
regatta in the harbor, and ashore there
was review of $4,000 school children
by President Palma. At noon sol
emn high mass in honor Of the new
republic had been celebrated in all
the churches of the island, and at
o'clock tie deum was sung at the
cathedral. At the same hour the Gu
ban congress proclaimed the constitu.
ton. Last night the whole city was
Illuminated and great pyrotechnical
display was made from the walls of
MORO Castle and Cabanas fortress.
The enthusiasm of the city was
boundless. Many persons were liter
ally mad with joy over their new born
liberty. The streets were full OF
surging, cheering men and women
Motley professions paraded the
plazas. Firecrackers of the giant va.
riety were exploded on the Sidewalks
and even in the cafes.
One hundred thousand visitors were
said to be in the city and the police
were utterly unable to cope with the
joy-intoxicated people.
While this was occurring at Havana
similar scene was being enacted al
Santiago, where General Whitside, al
noon, turned over the authority to his
Cuban successor and sailed away
with-.two troons of the Eighth cavalry