Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-05-22

Havana. May 2o.-The natal day of the
Republic of Cuba found Havan arrayed like
a queen to await the coming of her lord.
She seemed reinvested for the occasion
with the dignity of the prosperous days
OF her power and wealth. The decorations
were universal and in same cases men mad
worked all night by the light Of torches
to complete the elaborate designs. There
was not a residence pretentous or humble
that did not bear upon its quaint laCaue
some emblem in honor of the event. Many
arches erected at the entrances of the
plazas by political societies, lraternal
cluDs, residents of the various civil d.
visions of the city and business organ
izatons had AN air of real graz, deur Ma
ture seemed in harmony with the spirit of
festivities. The parks were literally allane
with tropical flowers and the Vaulted SKY
above might have been chiSelled out OF
turquoise. Above every red tiled roof rose
"A Cuban flag. The whole city seemed sud
denly buried beneath forest OF waving
banners. The decorations along the water
front were exceedingly lavish and all the
shipping in the harbor was dressed III
gala attire A majority of the ships iiew
the American ensign at the main and Gu
ban colors at the fore or mizzen. The Uni
ted States armored cruiser Brooklyn.
which was to take General Wood away
and the steamer MORO Castle of the Ward
line on which the troops We're to embark,
as well as the foreign warships which mad
been sent by their governments to be pres
ent at the birth of the new republic We're
dressed with streams of signal flags fore
and aft, in man-ofwar fashion. Outside
the sapphire waters of the Gulf sparkling
beneath tropical sun washed the rocky
feet of the seentnel fortresses which
guarded the entrance of the harbor. The
American colors, which were to be hauled
down in a few hours still fioated above
the grim walls and not another bit Of
color showed upon them.
The early morning was cool and delight
full. Much curiosity was aroused by the
statue of freedom which had been raised
during the night in Central Park upon a
pedestal where for centuries a statue of
Queen Isabella had stood. During the
morning a bountiful breakfast was given
several thousand poor children by Nh.
Paine of Boston, who has passed the win
ter in Havana for many years. AS the day
advanced the heat of the sun became in
tense and the weather grew hotter every
minute.
The actual transfer of the control of the
island was scheduled to occur exactly at
noon Havana time which is 1890 p. m.
Washington time. but those invited TO wit
ness the ceremony were required to be at
the palace at II 80 "A. m. They included
besides the American officers ana members
of President-elect Palma's cabinet, men,
beers of Congress, supreme court Judges,
governors of provinces, officers of the Wis
ting warships foreign consuls, W. j.
Bryan and other visiting Americans of
note, several of Senior Palma's Central
Valley, n Y, neighbors, Horatio Rubcns
counsel for the former Cuban junta, Col
William Astor Chanler and few other
specially invited guests.
Shortly before II 80 m, those who we're
to witness the ceremony began to arrive
in carriages, through the street kept clcaI
by the police. All naval officers were ar
rayed in full uniform. respondent in golc
braid and plumed chapeaux. The Cuban:
generally wore black frock suits, whit,
waistcoats ana silk hats. They formed &
distinguished looking assemhlage as they
gathered in the audience chamber.
The ceremony itself was brief anC
simple After formal greetings, Genera
Wood read the documentary transfer pre-
pared by the war department pledging tht
new government to Immediately proclaim
the constitution and the Plat amendmcn
contained in the appendix and to under
take all obligations assumed by the Uni
ted States with respect to Cuba by thu
treaty of Paris. He also read letter OF
congratulation and good wishes from Pres
ident Roosevelt.
Senior Palma, after an exchange Of con
CALCULATIONS, and the old veteran. Genera
Gomez, assembled to the roof of the palace
He was instantly recognized and met will
a demonstration of welcome. Trooper:
of the Seventh United States cav
airy lowered the American colors. Al
they futtered down, the cavalry below
sauted their flag and like an echo of tn
cheers that rose came the distant boon
of one of the great guns of the Cabana
fortress, across the bay. 1t was followe,
by another and another, in rhythmic sue
ccssion, until 45 shots had been fired, on
for each State in the Union. AS the frs
gun spoke the flags on MORO Castle ant
those on Santa Clara and the Punta for
tresses were lowered The jurisdiction o
the United States had ended
In the meantime the Cuban flag had beei
bent on the halliards OF the palace flagstaff
and the troopers raised 1t as an act Of tn
United States. AS the flag flew FIRE
the streets below fairly roared with tn
cheers that arose and II was caught up b.
the people on the roofs and rolled owe
the city. Again the cavalry below salute
and again the guns on Cabanas spoke thi
time with n national salute of n guns. Tn
bands stationed on the plaza at Cabana
and at Malecon crashed out with 9TH
Pride of Our Country and revenue cut
tiers and battleships in the harbor thun
dered the strength of war. The foreig
warshps hoisted the flag Of Cuba to thei
mastheads and bestowed upon 1t the hon
ors due to the nation. The ensigns o
Great Britain and Italy had recognize
the republic.
DEPARTURE OF THE AMERICANS.
The demonstration was still in progress
when the cavalry wheeled and marched t
the wharf where they Immediately EN-
barked on the Moro Castle.
General Wood and his adjutant genera
Colonel Scott, with two aides after a las
exchange Of good wishes were driven t
the peir where they entered launch an
were flicked away to the Brooklyn. Bot