The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-05-21
NEW CUBAN REPUBLIC.
PRESIDENT THOMAS ESTRADA PALMA TAKES OATH OF OFFICE.

EveryWhGk6 Flags of the Two Republics Were Iutcrtvined-As tho Cuban Banner Rose Above tho Palace a Salute of 2I Guns Was Fired.
 Havana, May 20.-To-day the new Cuban republic began its career amid blaze of glory, and the promise Of the United States made four years ago was redeemed. There was an immense throng of people in the oity. The dec- orations were beautiful. At every point of vantage the American and Gu ban flags were intertwined, while the prominent houses on the streets along which President nt-elect Palma passed from his palace to the palace Of Cover nor-General Wood are almost hidden py green palms and bunting. At every twenty feet along the route small arch- es, covered with the colors Of the new republic, were erected making the route an almost unbroken triumphal canopy, Added to these were the prlght colors of the dresses worn by the ladies and the uniforms of the provincial ofii- cers. The brightness of the scene was only enhanced by the somewhat sompre blue of the American uniforms. The ceremonies began at II o'clock, Iiwhen President Thomas Estrada Palma was driven to the palace. Accompany ing the president-elect were General Maximo Gomez and the members or the new cabinet. They were escorted py the recently organized Cuban artillery war veterans and political and civic or ganizations.
 The procession went to Central park, thence down Obispo street to the pal ace. The crowds along the route were so dense that the procession was re quently stopped and the mounted police and rural guards with the utmost difil- culty cleared the way.
 At every step cheer after cheer went up for the president-lect. and time ana again his carriage was stopped by the populace who surrounded the equipage in an effort to shake the hand of the new head of the government. The acme of enthusiasm was reached when the marty arrived at the Plaza De Armas in front of Governor-G General Woods pal ace. Here Iu6 ClOWQo "ViiN AAN''N-~' Hats and flags were flung in the air and the ground fairly shook with the volume of cheers.
 In the hall were the members Of botn houses of the Cuban congress, Amerl- can army officers, the city council pro- vincial officers, foreign consul and Gov ernor- General Wood and his staff. Governor Wood in relinquishing the reins of government to President Pal ma stated that the moment had arrived when Cuba Libre" was no longer 8 myth, but reality. He assured the Cubans of the sympathy and support of the United States, and said the fu- ture of the new republic would be watched by the government at Wash ington with living interest. He then declared the military occupation of Gu ba by the American forces at an end, and the authority was resigned into the hands of the new president: and in closing said: T am further charged by the president of the United States to deliver to you the letter which I now hand you"
 After this was read letter from President Roosevelt to President Palma and the congress of the Cuban republic, as follows:
 White House, Washington, D, C.,
 May 10, 1902 To the President and Congress of the
 Republic of Cuba;
 On the goth of this month the mili- tary governor of Cuba will, by my di- rection, transfer to you the control and government of the island of Cuba, to be thenceforth exercised under the provisions of the constitution adopted by your constitutional convention as on that day promulgated; and ne will thereupon declare the occupation of Cuba by the United States to be at an end.
 At the same time I desire to express to you the sincere friendship and good wishes of the United States and our most earnest hopes for the stability and success of your government, for the blessings of peace, justice, prosperity and ordered freedom among your peo- pie. and for enduring friendship be- tween the republic of the United States and the republic of Cuba.
 THEODORE ROOSEVELT,
 President of the United States.
 It was then l2 CLOCK ana as the hands of the clock pointed to the hour practically every American flag throughout the island was lowered and the Cuban flag raised over the palace and Morro Castle. As the American flag was lowered all the warships in the harbor, several hundred yards from the palace, with the Cuban revenue cutters fired a salute of forty-five guns, one for each of the American states
 AS the Cuban banner rose to it's new place and f1oated out into the breeze the guns again belched forth. this time with a salute of twenty-one guns. The raising of the new flag seemed like spark in magazine. The tens of thou- sands of people packed in the park fronting the palace and in the street adjacent became frantic, and previous enthusiasm was but drop in the buck ct to the roar of cheers that could be heard miles off.
 After the exchange of the flags Gov ernor-General Wood, accompanied by