Connecticut western news., 1902-05-22
Paris on Dec. 10, 1S9S. p


 Palma said:
 "I receive in this act the government of the island of Cuba, and I recognize that in this act military occupation of the island ceases. In accepting this transfer l declare that the republic of the government of Cuba assumes, in conformity with what is determined in the constitution, each and all of the obligations that the government of the United States took upon itself in re- gard to Cuba by virtue of the treaty be tween the United States and her maj esty the queen regent of Spain.
 "I note that all the financial responsi- bilities contracted by the military gov ernment up to this date have been paid and that there have been transferred to the government of the republic $6S9, 191.0 .02, which constitutes the balance in cash to the credit of the nation"
 MT. Palma also said that the Cuban government would endeavor as far as possible to comply with the necessity of sanitation and the observance of the system established by the military gov ernment of Cuba.
 Cuba's Flag h Floated.
 During this reading the outside tu- mutt had reached such a climax that the proceedings were scarcely audible. Thunders of saluting guns from forts and harbor drowned the voices of those in the palace, while crowds on the sur rounding housetops and balconies and in the streets below increased the din with shouts of "Viva Cuba librew and "Viva la independencla~ The cere- mony ended when President Palma af- fixed his signature on behalf of the Gu ban government, pledging it to assume the obligations undertaken by the Unit ed States. There were compliments and congratulations, and then Cuba's assumption of statehood was complete.
 The outside enthusiasm reached fe- yer heat when the veteran General Go meg ascended to the roof of the pal ace. He was instantly recognized by the crowds, which made an immense demonstration of welcome, While he stood watching troopers of the Seventh cavalry undid the halyards from the flagstaff and lowered the American col ors. AS they fiuttered down the cav airy below saluted their flag and, like an echo of the cheers that arose, came the distant boom of one of the great guns of Cabanas fortress, across the bay. It was followed by another and another in rhythmic succession until forty-five shots had been fired, one for each state in the Union. AS the first gun spoke the flags of Morro castle and those on the Santa Clara and Pun to fortresses were lowered.
 Meantime Cuban flag had been bent on the halyards of the palace flagstaff. As the flag rose and flew free the houses around fairly rocked with the cheer that arose. It was caught up by the people on the roofs and rolled over the city. Again the cavalry below sa- luted, and again the guns sounded, this time with national salute of twenty one guns. The bands stationed on the plaza, at Cabanas and at Malecon crashed out with the Cuban national hymn, and the revenue cutters and bat tleships in the harbOr thundered anew. The foreign warships hoisted the flag of Cuba to their mastheads and be- slowed upon 1t the honors due to sov- ereign states.
 Departure of Americans.
 The demonstration still gathered force until the cavalry wheeled and marched to the wharf, where they i'm mediately went aboard the Morro Cas- tie. General Wood and his adjutant general, Colonel Scott, with two aids, after a last exchange of compliments, l-fx fN yUhnnna n launch conveyed them swiftly to the Brooklyn. Both ships got under way. as soon as possible and steamed out of the harbOr. 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 their departure.
 Mrs. Wood and the children sailed for Spain on the steamship Alfonso XII. They will spend the summer there and in France.
 Before the Brooklyn was hull down on the horizon the Cubans resumed their festivities. There was a yacht re- gatta in the harbor and ashore a review of 14,OOO school children by President Palma.
 In the cathedral at 4 o'clock Te Deum was sung. solemn high masses for the new republic ha Eing been cele- brated at noon in all the churches of the island. At o'clock also the Cuban congress proclaimed the constitution.
 The whole city was illuminated last night, and the harbor blazed with fire works set off from the walls of Morro castle and Cabanas fortress. There will be two days more of celebration, and then Cuba will settle down to solve the complicated political and economic problem with which the new govern ment' is confronted.
 The ceremony at the palace at noon had its parallel at Santiago, where General Whitside turned over the au- thority to his Cuban successor and sailed away with two troops of the Eighth cavalry. Only eight batteries of American artillery then remained on Cuban soil.
 Woman Aeronaut Dashed to Death.
 London, May 21.-A woman balloon ist named Edith Brooks was dashed to