The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-05-22
DRAMATIC SPECTACLE AS THE
CUBAN FLAG GOES UP ON
THE PALACE.
GENERAL WOOD DEPARTS
MAGNIFICENT FRIENDLY DEMON.
STRATION AS HE LEAVES
>. THE CAPITAL.

11dVdud, MAY Al.-lne united States
has redeemed her promise to the
world. Havana and Santiago de Cuba
were during the day evacuated by
American 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 remarkable
demonstration when the flag of the
United States was lowered and the
flag OF the new republic hoisted in it's
place at noon on the palace from
whence Spain had ruled the island for
centuries, it was hardly more stir.
ring than the magnificent friendly
demonstration which attended the de-.
parture of the cruiser Brooklyn as she
sailed out of Havana harbor few min
utes before 4 o'clock p. m.
A flotilla of harbor craft loaded t.
the guards with people and dressed
with bunting from stem to stern es.
corted her to sea. The Brooklyn had
waited until the Ward line steamer
MORO Castle and the tug Eagle sailed
before weighing anchor. AS became a
commander, General Leonard Wood
desired to be the last to leave. The
Brooklyn's anchorage was near the
wreck of the battleship Maine, whose
black shrunken skeleton was deco
rated with American and Cuban flags
by order of the city council. When
the beautiful cruiser steamed slowly
by this pitiful memory, the American
ensign at her taffrail was dipped and
the sailors generally DOTTED their caps.
AS she passed the grim walls of Ca
banas and Moro castle, the Cuban COL
ors on both fOrtresses were lowered
three times in salute, although it is
not military etiquette for fort to sa-
lutte except with guns But an army
four hours old is not expected to know
this. General Wood stood on the
bridge of the cruiser and acknowl-
edged the ovation he received by bow
ing and touching his cap.
Enthusiasm Was Boundless.
Inc enthusiasm in the city was
Doundless. Many persons were liter
ally mad with joy over their new born
liberty. Flrecrackers of the giant va
rlety 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.
AS soon as the new government
was installed congress met and pro-
claimed the constitution and appen-
ok. President Palma reviewed $4,000
school children before the palace and
at o'clock he went to the cathedral,
"here tie deum was sung for the new
republic. President Palma then de-
voted an hour before dinner to attend
ing some urgent matters, among which
was the postal relations with the Unit
ed States. BY his direction Washing
ton was informed that Cuba would like
to continue the present Arrangement
temporarily.
In the evening the city was illumin-
ated as never before and a great pyro-
technic display was given on the walls
OF MORO castle and Cabanas across
the bay.
The first demonstration occurred at
about II o'clock when eight dis
mounted troops of the Seventh cav
airy under the command of Colonel
Baldwin, marched into the plaza, pre-.
ceded by the regimental band. The
cavalrymen were
Arrayed in Khaki Uniforms
and carried carbines. They formed in
three sides of an oblong square, fac
ing the palace, their center resting
on the statue of King Ferdinand. The
greeting the American soldiers re-
ceived was cordial, but real enthusi-
asm was first manifested upon the ap-
pearance of two batteries of native ar
tillery, who, coming up at double
quick time, wheeled into line and
grounded arms in the street directly
below the balconies of the palace.
Inc maneuver was executed smartly,
and the crowd cheered with pride.
Shortly afterwards the guests began
to arrive and state occasion of a first
commanded more ceremony. Officers
of the army and the navy of the
United States, officers of Italian and
well as foreign consu1s, were arrayed
in all the splendor of their full uni
forms. The British consul general.
Lionel Edward Gresley Garden, who
has been appointed minister to Cuba,
wore the embroidered diplomatic uni
form of his rank. The Chinese con-
suls came in flowing silks, the judges
IN their ermine and the archbishop
of Havana in the purple robes of his
high ecclesiastical office. General
Maxine Gomez, the idol of the Cuban
people, with his >hawk-like head and
shoulders erect in spite of his 70 years,
came attended by some of his old
companions in arms.
The transfer occurred exactly at
noon. The ceremony was brief and
simple. General Wood and Senior
Palma faced each other. General Co.
mez stood Immediately behind his fu-
ture president. in an open space
-, ~