New-York tribune., 1902-05-21
Palma Signs Act Of Transfer and
Is NO1U IN POWer.
AMERICAN FLAG HAULED DOWN.
HAVANA A BLAZE OF COLOR
CROWDS IN THE STREETS-THE CERE-
MONY AT THE PALACE.
lRv The Associated Pressl

tBy The Associated Press)
Havana May 2O-The natal DAY of the repub-
lie of Cuba found Havana apparently reinvested
for the occasion with the dignity of the pros
porous days of her power and wealth. The deco
rations were universal. In some cases men had
worked II night by the light Of torches 10 COM
plete elaborate designs. There not resi-
dence. pretentious or humble. that did not bear
upon its front some emblem in honor of the
event. The many arches erected at the
frances of plazas by political societies frsterpsi
clubs. residents of various civil divisions of the
city and business organiza tiOns had an air ur
grandeur. The scadoIding was covered with
canvas painted in imitation of marble. ard from
distance the Illusion was complete
Bunting spread Venetian masts covered
the deep. narrow streets from the rays of the
sun. Beneath these canopies the Cuban colors
and palms graced the open dOOrways. through
which glimpses could be caught of Iuxuriant
gardens in cool inner courts. Many of the bal
comics jutting from the white walled buildings
adorned with roses. The parks were
afame with tropical flowers. and the vaulted
sky above might have been chiselIed 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 SCENE IN THE HARBOR.
The decorations along the waterfront were
lavish. and all the shipping in the harbor was
dressed in holiday attire. The majority of the
ships flew the American ensign at the main and
the Cuban coors at the fore The United States
armpred cruiser Brooklyn. which was TO take
General Wood away, and the steamer Moro
Castle. of the Ward Line, which the troops
were TO embark 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 streamers OF signal flags fore and
aft. man-Of-waT fashion. The American coIors.
which were to be hauled down in few hours
on the fortresses. still fioated above the grim
walls.
The early morning was cool and delightful
and the population. reinforced by thousands OF
visitors. was abroad soon after daylight. All
was animation and expectancy. The streets
were swarmins with people. and were filed with
a ceaseless din. The babble of voices was
drowned by the sharp cries of drivers and the
clamOr of warning bells. As the coachnen
drove their carriages madly over the stony
pavements pedestrians had busy time keepinx
out of the way OF the wheels There are four
thousand public carriages in Havana, and this
morning each one of them seemed racing soma
where on life death mission.
Much interest was shown in statua n,
Freedom. which had been erected during tba
night in Central Park. upon the pedestal whars
for centuries statue OF Queen Isabella had
stood.
In the early morning many troops OF school
children marched into the Plaza de Arnss
ranged themselves before the palace and sanv
an American anthem.
VETERANS GIFT TO GENERAL. wOOn
AT 10 o'clock a delegation from the Central
Veterans Club presented General Wood with
a handsome machete, having beautifully en-
graved hilt- II has the Cuban coat of arms
and single gold star on one side. and the gen
erals initials on the other in gold
A breakfast was given 10 several thousand
poor children by Mr.. Paine. Of Boston who has
passed the winters in Havana for many years
AS the day advanced the heat of the sun be-
came intense, and the weather grew hotter
every minute Hot air from the streets seemed
to CULVER in the sky, until the whole landscape
apparently wavered.
The actual transfer of the control of the island
was scheduled to occur exactly at noon, Ha-
vana time, which is 1890 p. m. Washington
time but those invited TO witness the ceremony
we're requested to be at the palace at 1.D
a. m. They included. besides the American
officers and the members OF Presdent-elect
PaIma's Cabinet. the members of Congress. the
Supreme Court judges. the Governors of the
rovinces. the officers of the visiting warships
the foreign consuls. W. j. Bryan. the other visit
ing American statesmen several Of Senior
Palma's Central Valley. n. Y. neighbors. Ho-
ratio Rubens counsel for the former Cuban
THE PROPHETS CHAMBER"
Reprinted from the Four-rrack News tor May. will
interest every farmer & Mite in New aork ana New