The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1902-05-22
CUBA IS A NATION
New Republic Takes Her Place as an In
dependent Power Enthusiastic
Welcome Gwen to the
Hour of Birth.

LA ANA, NIdy ZO-AO - - CIOCh
last night new nation was
launched into being, and a new
flag took its place among those
of the nations of the world. The
republic of Cuba is now fact,
and the American officials who
have been for the last few years
the ruling power here are now
here only as guests-but well
coined and honored guests. The
republic was officially proclaimed
at noon today. Cuba is now a
nation.
There was little group at the
palace here last night to watch
for the hour of II. Among it
were some of the most interested
Cubans and all the American Of
ficials. At the stroke OF II ST.
lence fell over the assemblage,
which listened with a feeling of
awe to tee strokes of the bell
which ushered into birth a new
nation. No sooner had the bell
ceased It's tolling, however. than
the joy of the enthusiastic Gu
bans broke out into loud hurrahs
for the new republic-cheers in
which the Americans heartily
joined. Then there was a gen.
eral round of handshaking and
the guests departed.
Outside the palace was a throng
numbering thousands, which was
as enthusiastic as the throng
within. All the streets of the
city were ablaze with lights and
decorations, and the throngs
upon them resembled nothing so
much as an American Fourth of
July crowd. All night long the
crowd marched up and down,
singing their patriotic airs, and
for the greater portion of them
there was no rest until long after
the conclusion of the the official
ceremonies TODAY.
These began at the palace at
II o'clock. President Palma and
the other officials of the new
government were present when
General Wood performed his last
official act, which was the pro-
mitigation of proclamation, an.
nouncing the adoption of a con-
stitutional form of government
and declaring that government
to be now in effect. He also an
nounced the election of General
Estrada Palma as president,
elected in accordance with the
forms of the new constitutional
government.
President Palma then issued a
proclamation announcing the
cessation of the American pro-
tectorate and the beginning of
his term of Office.
President Palma was formally
inducted into his Office by the
retiring military commander; the
stars and stripes hauled down
from the palace flagstaff, and the
| Cuban colors raised and saluted.
Despite the high railroad fares
about 10000 persons arrived
from the provinces to take part
in the festivities, while large
delegations came from the Unit
ed States and South American
countries.
The streets are gay with flags
and bunting, the star-spangled
banner being fully as conspicu-
Gus as the flag of the new repub-
lie. Huge triumphal arches with
bowers of multi.colored cloth
have been erected along the line
of the inaugural procession.
From the middle of these bowers
hang large pictures of the presi-
dent-elect and General Gomez.
All the shipping in the harbor
is in gala dress and the brilliant
illuminations of all the public
buildings on the squares have
transformed night into day.
The final reports which Gen.
eral Wood turned over to the re-
public show that the United
States during the entire period
of occupation has expended $59,-
753, 523 for the island. Of this
amount $40, 159, ,O56. 81 was ex-
pended during the administration
of General Wood.
The general was able to hand
over to the republic $685., 700 in
- - ~ 400 oa.