Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-05-20
rO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
Cuba Libre."


Cuba Libre."
Havana, May 20.--The celebration
Of the natal day of the new republic
was a strange mixture OF smiles and
tears. vet both were for Joy that O
new nation was born. The CITY is
crowded with visitors. The entrance
10 every house il draped With Ameri-
can and Cuban flags intertwined,
while the prominent houses on the
streets along which President-elect
Palma passed from his palace to the
palace OF Governor General Wood are
almost hidden by Green palms and
bunting. The ceremonies began at III
o'clock when President Tomas Estrada
Palma was driven to the palace. Ac-
compapyiDg the President-elect were
GaDeral Maxine Gomez and the men,
bers OF the new cabinet. They were
escorted by the recently organized
Cuban artillery, war veterans, ana
political and civic organizations
The enthusiasm along the route was
intense. At every step cheer after
cheer went up for the President-elect
and time and again his carriage was
stopped by the populace who surround
ed il in an effort to shake the hand OF
the new head OF the government. Upon
arriving at the palace the PRESIDENT
elect was escorted to the main hall,
where the ceremonies of handing over
the Government to the Cubans occur
red. 10 the hall were the members oil
both Houses OF the Cuban Congress,
American army officers, the city coun'
Gil, provincial officers, foreign consuls,
Governor General Wood and his stall.
Governor Wood In relinquishing the
reips of government assured the Cubans
of the sympathy and support of the
United States, and said the future of
| The new republic would be watched by
the Government ut Washington with
loving interest. He tnen declared the
| military occupation Of Cuba by the
American forces at an end, and the al.
thority was resigned into the hands of
| the new President. President Palma
replied, thanking the Americans for the
glorious work which they had done
| for Cuba, and assuring the Americans
of the everlasting gratitude OF the
Cuban people. AT II o'clock, practical
| ly every American flag throughout the
island wss lowered, and the Cuban flag
4 raised over the pslace and Moro
7 Castle. AS the American flag was low
cred, all the waTships In the harbor,
several hundred yards from the palace,
with the Cubln revenue cutters, fired Q
salute OF forty.fve guns, one for each OF
/, the American States.
As the Cuban banner, was holsted
a salute OF tweL ty.one guns was bred
Tens OF thousands OF people packed 10
the park fronting the palace and 10
the streets adjacent broke out 10
cheers.l
After the exchange Of the flags. Gov
ernor Wood accompanied by Gil the
dignitaries left the palace for the wharf
Here he took lauoch for the cruiser
Brooklyn, which was anchored In the
bay.
Later in the day the Brooklyn and
the steamer Moro Castle, with the
American officers and all the troop
excepting eight companies OF artii
lery, aboard, will sail for the UniteC
Estates. The eight companies lett
which will be under the command
of Col. William Haskins, remain tC
guard the Havana harbor works, aud
80 safe guard against foreign iuter
ference.
Governor Wood. military governor
of Cuba, announced today that the con
sttution adopted by the constitutions
convention OF the people OF Cuba on thu
twenty.first day OF February, 1901, to
getner with and including the appendix
thereto Che Plstt amendments) adopt
ed by said convention on the Twelfth
day Of June, 1901, is hereby promulgat
ed as the constitution OF the republic o
Cuba, and declared to be 10 foil forc'
and effect on and after this day.
Washington, May 20.-Secretary o
War Root has telegraphed his congrat
ulstions to President Palma.
The State Department today sent 9th
cial notifications to ambassadors ant
ministers OF the United States all owe
the world OF the independence o
the republic OF Cuba. II is in sub
stance to the effect that the military
occupation OF the leland OF Cuba by th'
United States has his day ceased, ant
that an independent government, re
publican In form, has been inaugurated
there, under the presidency OF his ex
cellency Senior Don Tomas Estradi
l Palmer.