Mexico weekly ledger., 1902-05-22
A FREE NATION
HER PRESIDENT IEAUeURATED
AS HEAD OF THE REPUBLIC
alag RAISED BY GEN.
G0mEz.
0. $. TROOPS LEAVE HAVANA.
The Greatest Day in the History Of
the Island Marked BY General
Rejoicing at Havana and
Other Cities.

HAVANA, May 20,-The republic of
Cuba was born at noon to-day.
The United States transferred to
President T. Estrada Palma the
governmental authority and received
a receipt acknowledging the honor
able acquittal Of their trust
Senior Palma attached his signature
TO a document as President Of the
Cuba republic after an exchange Of
congratulations, and the veteran Gen.
Gomez assembled to the roof Of the
palace, where be was accorded a great
reception.
Gen. Wood personally lowered the
American colors, which were saluted,
and with his own hands hoisted the
Cuban flag, as an act Of the United
States, assisted by Gen. Gomez.
Gen. Wood and his staff and the
American troops embarked immedi-
ately after the hosting of the Cuban
flag and the American ships steamed
out of the harbor.
The exercises were in keeping with
the theories OF republican simplicity.
All the United States troops on the
island participated in the ceremonies.
Soon as the programme was ended
they were taken to the transports in
the harbor for return to the United
States.
Only those who will be at the naval
station remained.
The only places at which the Ameri-
can flag is seen this afternoon are the
naval stations.
Outside these stations the Ameri-
can forces are amenable TO the civil
laws Of the island.
The soldiers are instructed not to
interfere In Cuban affairs without Or
ders from Washington.
General Wood departed
with the troops for Washington where
he win give an account Of his admins
tratlon, and then will take q six
months leave for Europe. His wife
has gone to Spain.
The United States cruiser Brook
Ign, Admiral Schley's flagship in the
Spanish-A merican war, will convey
Gen. Wood 10 New York.
The boom Of Its guns was heard in
the Joyful noise announcing the birth
of the republic.
EVERY HOUSE IN HAVANA DEcoRAT-
KD.
The decorations we're universal. In
some cases men worked all night by
the light OF torches 10 complete ella
borate designs. There was not a resi-
denee, p%retentious or humble, that
did not bear upon its quaintlfacade
some emblem in honor Of the event.
The many arches erected at the en-
frances Of plazas by political socities,
f~raternal clubs, residents OF various
civil divisions OF the city and busl-
ness organizations had an air of real
grandeur. The scaffolding was covered
with canvas painted in imitation OF
marble and from a distance the illu-
sion was complete. Bunting spread
on Venetian masts canopled the deep,
narrow streets from the rays Of the
sun.
Beneath these canopies the Cuban
colors and palms graced the open door
ways, through which glimpses could
be caught Of luxurfant gardens, in
cool, inner courts. Many Of the bal
comics jutting from the white walled
buildings were adorned with roses.
Nature seemed in harmony with the
spirit Of the festivities.
The parks were literally afame with
tropical flowers and the yaulted sky
above might have been chisled out Of
turquoise. Above every red-tiled roof
rose a Cuban flag. The whole city
seemed suddenly buried beneath a
forest Of waving banners.
The decorations along the water
front were exceedingly lavish, and all
the shipping in the harbor was dress
ed in gala attire. The majority Of the
ships flew the American ensign at the
main, and the Cuban colors at the fore
or mizzen. The United States armor-
ed cruiser Brooklyn, which was to
take Gen. Wood away, and the steam
er MORO Castle Of the Ward line, on
which the troops were TO embark, as
well as the foreign warshlps which had
been sent by their government To-
be present at the birth OF the new re-
cUBA's HISTORY SINCE 1895.
1000 DaNNNf-.Na- IT.