The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-05-28
CUBA IS NOW
A REPUBLIC
THE FORMAL TRANSFER OF SOW
EREIGNTY TO THE NEW
GOVERNMENT.
MORRO CASTLE FLIES THE NEW
FLAG.
President Palma Thanks the United
States and Roosevelt Sends Ameri-
cas- Good Wishes.

HAVANA, May 20.-Just as the sun
reached the zenith today the Republic
OF Cuba was born. Great guns doomed
a farewell salute to the Stars and
Stripes, and slowly the flag of the free
came down from the staffs of the pal
ace and Moro Castle. A moment later
Cuba's flag rose to the peak on fort
and palace, great wave of cheers
swept through the streets of the city
and over the house tops where thou
sands of the people were gathered, and
a new member had been added to the
sisterhood of nations. The promise of
the great American Republic was full
filled. An hour later the cruiser
Brooklyn was hull down on the nori-
ZOn bearing Governor Wood home to
the United States.
Dramatic as was the remarkable de-
monstration when the flag of the Unit
ed States was lowered and the flag of
the new republic hoisted in it's place at
noon today on the palace whence
Spain had ruled the island for centu-
ries, it was hardly more stirring than
the magnificent friendly demonstration
which attended the departure of the
cruiser Brooklyn as she sailed out of
Havana harbor a few minutes before 4
o'clock this afternoon.
The scene at the Moro were strik-
ing. The castle was crowded with pa
triotic Cubans, whose ambition was to
see their flag float alone from the for
tress which so long before held aloft
the flag of Spain.
HAVANA, May 20.-The ceremony
itself was brief and simple. After for
NAL greetings General Wood read the
documentary transfer prepared by the
War Department, pledging the new
Government to Immediately proclaim
the constitution and the Plat amend
ment contained in the appendix, and to
undertake all obligations assumed by
the United States with respect to Cuba
by the treaty of Paris.
The reply made by President Palma
to Governor-General Wool closed as
follows:
81 take advantage of this solemn &C
CasiOn, where there is fulfilled the hon
est promise of the Government and the
people of the United States in regard to
the people of Cuba, and when the per-
sonality of our country is established
as a sovereign nation, to express TO
you, as a worthy representative Of that
great Nation the deep gratitude that
the people of Cuba feel for the Ameri-
can Nation, for its illustrious President
Theodore Roosevelt, and to you per-
sonally for the efforts which you have
Ildue lOI Ile attainment Vi ltlttl CllSl .
ished ideal"
General Wood presented, in addition
to several prOclamations, the following
letter from President Roosevelt:
WHITE HOUSE. Washington, May
10,1902.-TO the President and Congress
of the Republic of Cuba-Sirs: On the
goth of this month the Military Cover
nor of Cuba will, by my direction,
transfer to you the cohtr,l a1d govern
ment of the Island OF Cuba, to be
thenceforth exercised under the provis-
ions of the constitution adopted by
your constitutional convention as on
that day promulgated, and he will
Ihereupon declare the occupation Of
Cuba by the United States to be at an
end.
"At the same time l desire to express
t. you the sincere friendship and good
wishes of the Unttc States, and cur
most earnest hopes for the ability and
success of your Government, for the
blessings of peace, justice, prosperity
and freedom among your people, and
for enduring friendship between the
Republic of The United States and the
Republic of Cuba.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
President of the United States"