The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-05-23

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Havana, May 20.-Tne National day
Of the republic of Cuba found Havana
arrayed like a queen u await the COM
ing of her lord. She seemed reinvested
for the occasion with the dignity Of the
prosperous days of her power and
wealth. The decorations were univer-
sal. In some cases men had worked all
night by the light Of torches to COM
plete elaborate designs. There was not
a residence. pretentious or humble. that
did not bear upon its quaint face some
emblem in honor Of the event. The
many arches erected at the entrance OF
plazas by political societies and frater-
nal clubs, residences OF various civil
divisions Of the city and business or
ga~nizations had an air of real grandeur.
The ~scaffolding was covered with can
vas painted in imitation of marble and
from a distance the Illusion was COM
pIete. Bunting spread on Venetian
masts canopied the deep, narrow streets
from the rays of the sun. Nature SEEM
ed in harmony with the spirit Of the
festivities. The parks were literally
aname with tropical flowers, and the
Vaulted sky above might have been
shiseled out of turquoise. Above every
red titled roof, rose a Cuban flag. The
whole city seemed suddenly buried De-
meath a forest of waving banners.
The decorations along the water front
were exceedingly lavish, and all the
shipping in the harbor was dressed in
gala attire. The majority OF the ships
few the American ensign at the main
and the Cuban colors at the fore and
niZZen.
The United States armore cruiser
Brooklyn which was TO take General
Wood away, and the steamer MORO
Castle, of the Ward line, On which the
troops were to embark. as we'll as the
foreign warships which had been sent
by their governments to be present at
the birth Of the new republic, were
dressed with streams of signal flags,
fore and aft, man-of-war fashion. The
American colors, which were to be
hauled down in a few hours, still float
ed above the grim walls of the fortress
es which guard the entrance of the har-
Dor. Not another bit Of color showed
upon them.
The cary morning was cool and de-
hghtful and the entire population, rein
forced by thousands of visitors, was
abroad soon after daylight. All was
animation and expectancy. The streets
were swarming with people and were
Glled with a ceaseles5 din.
Much curiosity was aroused by Il
statue of freedom, which had been
raised during the night in Central
park, upon the pedestal where, TO-
centuries, a statue of Queen Isabella
had stood.
During the mornirG d bountifui
was given TO several thous-
and poor child1 en- by Mr.. Payne, of
Boston, who mas passed the winter in
Havana for many years.
The Transfer of Government.
The actual transfer of the control OF
the island occurred exactly at noon.
Havana time, which is 1880 p m,
Washington time. Those invited 10
the ceremony included. besides The
American officers and the members :
President-elect Palma's cabinet. tlt
members of congress, the supreme
court Judge the governors of the pro-
yinces, the officers of the visiting war
ships, the foreign c%onsuls, w. ]. Bryan,
and a few other specially invited
guests.
Owing to the limited space, the peo-
pie were to have no sight of the cere-
mony, which was to constitute them Il
nation before the world. but outside
the palace they were to witness a spec
tacle which would stair their pulses, Tor
they were to see the beloved fVe-bar-
red and single starred flag which
Eespedes first threw to the breeze III
1858 at the opening of the ten yeaIS
war, raised by the act of the United
States above the palace. Many arrived
before the palace with the rising sur'
and some even slept in the park. u
be certain not to miss this sight.
A portion of the plaza was kept
clear by the police very early. The
remainder was packed with people SO
thick that the groun seemed alive
Soon all the side streets running into
the plaza were choked into a soid
mass of humanity and every door and
window fronting the square was wall
ed in with faces, white and black. old
and young, male and female. Then
crowds sought the roofs, OVERLOOKING
every building hat commanded a view
Of the flagstaff on the palace. 1t was
. sight to live forever in memory.
Drawn up below, in the open space OF
the PLACE were eight dismounted troops
of the Seventh cavalry with sabres at
their heels. Their horses were already
on broad the steamer which was ID
take them back to the United States.
Shortly before 1880 d. m, those VIII
were to witness the began
to arrive, in carriages, through a
street kept cledl by the police. All the
naval officers were arrayed in full UNI
form respondent in gold braid AMI
piumed chapeauX.
The Cubans generally wore black
frock suits, white waistcoats and silk
hats. They formed a distinguished
long ~assemblag= as they gathered in
the audience chamber.
The Actual Transfer.
The ceremony itself vas brief anu
sinmpIe. After formal greetings, Gen |
eraI Wood read the documentary
transfer prepared by the war Depart
nent. pledging the new government 20
imrnediately proclaim the constitution
and the Platt amendment contained In
the appendix and to undertake all OBJ
legations assumed by the United States
with respect to Cuba by the treaty OF
Paris. Governor Wood also delivered
thu following letter:
white HouS
Washington, d. c. May 10.