Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1902-05-23
A FREE LAND.
Cuba Turned Over to Her
Own People.
President Palma Took Up the
Reins of Government.
American Flag Lowered and Com.
Wood and United States Troops
Leave tho Island for Home
Immediately After the
Brief Ceremonies.

Havana, May 21.-The natal day of
the republic of Cuba found Havana
arrayed like queen, to await the
coming of her lord. She seemed re-
invested for the occasion with the
dignity of the prosperous days of her
power and wealth. The decorations
were universal.
Above every red, tiled roof rose
Cuban flag. The whole city seemed
suddenly buried beneath forest of
waving banners. The decorations
along the water front were exceed
ingly lavish, and all the shipping in
the harbor was dressed in gala attire.
The ceremony itself was brief and
simple. After formal greetings, Gen.
Wood read the documentary transfer
prepared by the war department,
pledging the new government to inn
mediately proclaim the constitution
and the Platt amendment contained
in the appendix, and to undertake all
obligations assumed by the United
States, with respect to Cuba, by the
treaty of Paris.
Senior Palma attached his signature
to the document, as president of the
republic, after an exchange of con-
gratulations. and an old veteran, Gen.
Gomez, assembled to the roof of the
palace. He was instantly recognized
and met with great demonstration
of welcome. Gen. Wood undid the
halliards from the flagstaff and low
cred the American colors. AS they
futtered down the distant boom of
one of the great guns of Cabanas
fortress, across the bay, was heard.
1t was followed by another and an
other, in rhythmic succession, until As
shots had been fired, one for each
state in the union. The jurisdiction
of the United States had ended.
In the meantime a Cuban flag had
been bent on the halliards of the pal
ace flagstaff, and by his own hand
Gen. Wood raised it as an act of the
United States, Gen. Gomez assisting
him. AS the flag flew free, the streets
below fairly waved with the cheer
that arose, and again the guns of Ca
banas spoke, this time with nation
al salute of 81 guns.
The demonstration was still in
progress when the cavalry wheeled
and marched to the wharf, where
they Immediately embarked on the
MORO Castle. Gen. Wood and his ad-
jutant general, Col. Scott, with two
aides, after last exchange of good
wishes, were driven to the pier, where
they entered launch and were
fliclied away to the Brooklyn. Both
ships got under way as soon as possi-
BILE and steamed out of the harbor.
While this was occurring at Havana,
similar scene was being enacted at
Santiago, where Gen. Whiteside
turned over the authority to his Gu
ban successor, and sailed away with
two troops of the Eighth cavalry.
Only eight batteries of American ar
tillery remained on Cuban soil.
Washington, May 21.-Secretary
Hay, according to the plan arranged
some time ago, took the final step
yesterday in acquainting the nations
of the globe that the United States
has redeemed its solemn pledge to
make a free people in the island Of
Cuba. This was done by the dispatch
by cable to every capital where there
is resident either an ambassador or
minister for the United States, of an
identical note informing our repre-
sentatives that the military occupa-
tion of the island of Cuba by the
United States had ceased, and that
and that an Independent government,
republican in form, had been inaug-
urated there, under the presidency OF
Tomas Estrada Palma.