The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-21
Documents Signed by President-EIect
Palma, and Cuba Proclaimed
Free and Independent.
STARS AND STRIPES REMOVED
AND THE FLAG OF THE NEW RE-
PUBLIC HoIsTED IN ITS STEAD.
Formal Exercises Followed by the
Embarkation of Gen. Wood and
End of American Occupation.

HAVANA, May 20-Cuba is now free and
to the United States. which has kept the
pledges made to the world when it inter-
fcred in the affairs of the island and later,
in Paris. when the treaty of peace was
signed. The reIinquishment of American
control to-day was a great event in the
history of the island. Thousands of people
witnessed portions of the ceremonies. At
noon Governor General Wood. in the pres
ence of prominent Cubans and Americans
at the palace. formally transferred the
government to President Palma, the stars
and stripes were hauled down and the
Cuban flag unfurIed TO the breeze. Then
General Wood his staff and the United
States troops embarked and left the island
to its people.
Havana was dressed in gay robes in honor
OF the birth of the republic. There was
not a residence. pretentious or humble
that did not bear upon it's quaint face some
emblem i'm honor of the event The many
arches erected at the entrances of plazas
by political societies. fraternal clubs, resi-
and business organizat tions had an air of
real grandeur. The scaffolding was covered
with canvas painted in imitation of marble.
and from a distance the illusion COM
blste. 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 doorways. through which glimpses
he of 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 festivi-
ties. The parks were literally afiame with
tropical flowers. and the vaulted sky above
might have been chiseed out of turquoise.
Above every red-tiled roof rose a Cuban
flag. The whole city seemed suddenly
buried beneath forest of waving banners.
The decorations along the water front
were exceedingly lavish and all the ship
ping in the harbor was dressed in gala at
tire. The majority of the ships flew the
American ensign at the main and the Gu
ban colors at the fore or mizzen. The
United States armored cruiser Brooklyn, on
which General Wood embarked. and the
steamer MORO Castle, of the Ward line. on
which the troops took passage. as well as
the foreign warships which had been sent
by their governments to be present at the
birth OF the republic. were dressed
with streams of signal flags fore and aft,
man-of-war fashion. The American colors,
which were 10 be hauled down in a few
hours. still fioated above the grim walls
OF the fortresses which guard the entrance
of the harbor. Not another bit of color
showed upon them.
The early morning was cool and delight
full. and the entire population, reinforced
by thousands of visitors, was abroad soon
after daylight. All animation and ex-
pectancy. The streets were swarming with
people and were filled with a ceaseless din.
sharp cries OF drivers and the clamOr of
warning bells. As the coachmen drove their
carriages madly over the stony paVements
pedestrians had busy time keeping out of
the way Of the wheels. There are 1900
public carriages in Havana and this morn
Ing each one OF them seemed racing some
where on a life-or-death mission.
Much curiosity was aroused by a statue
of freedom which had been raised during
the night in Central Park. upon the pedes-
tai where. for centuries. a statue of Queen
Isabella had stood. During the morning
a bountifnl breakfast was given 10 several
thousand poor children by Mr. Paine of
Boston. who has passed the winter in Ha-
vana for many years.
During the early morning many troops
OF school children marched into the Plaza
de Armas, ranged themselves before the
palace and sang an American anthem.
At 10 O'Clock a delegation from the Cen
tral Veterans Club presented General
Wood with a handsome machete. having
a beautifully engraved hilt. 1t has the
on one side. and the generals initials on
the other in gold.