Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-05-26
REPUBLIC OFCUBA
FORMAL CHANGE OF GOVERN.
MENT IN THE ISLAND.
Occasion Of Great Rejoicing Over the Final
Realization Of Every Cuban's Dream-Pow.
srs Notified by United States Representatives
Of Transfer Of Authority-Gen. Wood and
President Palma Chief Actors.

Washington, D. c., May 2l.-Follow-
ing is the official notice sent out by the
state department to the ambassadors
and ministers of the United States all
over the world regarding the independ
ence OF Cuba: 81 am directed by the
president to inform you that all military
OCCUPATION of the island OF Cuba by the
United States has ceased and that an
independent government, republican in
form, has been inaugurated under the
presidency of Tomas Estrada Palma.
You are instructed to convey this
information through appropriate chan.
nels to the government to which you
are accredited. JOHN HAY"
Havana, Cuba, May 2l.-The new
Cuban republic was ushered in with
fitting ceremonies May 20. 1t was fete
day throughout the island-a day to
which every patriotic man, woman and
child has been looking forward since
earliest recollection-the day of Cuban
freedom. In he capital it was ushered
in with the booming of cannon, the
playing of bands, the discharge of fire.
works and other manifestations OF the
peoples delight. 1t was holiday every
where. Business was almost entirely
suspended, while the people gave them
selves up to the full enjoyment OF the
whore displayed, but scarcely less in
evidence was the start and stripes.
At an early hour people began to as
semble about the palace, where the cere-
monies OF the day-the transfer of tn.
insular government from the United
States to the newly elected officials OF
the republic-were held. True republic
an simplicity marked the LAUGHING of the
latest-bor among the family of nations,
but the ceremonies nevertheless were
extremely impressive. The hall in which
the ceremonies were held was crowded
with notables. The chief actors were
General Wood, the retiring governor OF
the island, and his staff. and Senior Tomas
Estrada Palma, president OF the new re-
public, and other officials of the new in
sular government.
General Wood made a brief speech,
stating in substance that he had received
notification of the election OF the presi-
dent and congress- that this newly
elected body had signified its readiness
to undertake the grave responsibilities
of government, and that the hour Tor the
inception of its duties had arrived. In
the name OF the United States he charged
it with the slgnlhcance OF the terms OF
the Paris treaty and called upon it to
subscribe to faithful compliance to the
stipulations of the Platt amendment.
President Palma replied in the name
of himself and his companions. He
asked General Wood to inform President
Roosevelt and the people of the United
States of the Cubans' gratitude for the
fulfllment of their desires and aspira-
lions to be an independent people.
These brief ceremonies concluded, the
Cuban government was declared to be
in force, it's flag raised over the palace
and the change of authority publicly
proclaimed. The church bells through
Havana we're rung in joyous celebration
of the event and a solemn high mass OF
thanksgiving was celebrated in the cathe-
dral. In the afternoon General Wood,
with his staff, went aboard the cruiser
Brooklyn. which is to convey him to
Washington.