New-York tribune., 1902-05-21
"a; colonel William Astor chanler. and a

The palace is imposing yellow stone
structure, the upper stories of its front being
built over a stone colonnsde. For centuries IL
was the residence of the captains general or
Spain. Since the American occupation 1t mas
been the official headquarters Of the Mtiitary
Governor. II fronts fine park. the Pace ue
Arrnas. with its stately royal palms and species
Of banyan trees. called laurels Of India. In the
centre is a fine marble statue Of Ferdinand
VII. Through the centre of the building an
srchway leads as in all Spanish palaces, to the
patio where a statue of Columbus rises from
a mass Of palms and Towering plants. On
either side OF the entrance marble stairways
ascend to the audience room. which opens
through baiconied windows upon the Plaza
WHERE THE TRANSFER TOOK PLACE,
In this chamber the actual transfer occurred.
II is imposing room. oblong' with a LOFTY
ceiling and marble floor. IL formed a fine set
ting for the historic occasion. The chamber is
to-day exactly as IL was when the Spaniards
departed. except that the portraits OF Balrna-
.aeda. the Weyler of the Ten Years war ana
those OF the other captains general which hung
apon its walls, are gone They were taken back
90 Spain. The coat of arms Of Spain, with the
royal quarterings, still hangs above the WIN
dows, which screened by the same scarlet
curtains which were hanging at the time OF
gold, with the mirrors have also been pre-
served, just as they were left by the Spaniaros
The chair with q gold crown above its back,
which was reserved for the Spanish monarch
himself, was visible in an adjoining apartment,
and, stranger still. was the view of a small
prayer room of the old Spanish captains gen
sral al the end of the chamber. Its dark, rlch
tapestries brought into relief elaborately
carved altar. above which hung an ivory
cr,iciix
THE CROWDS OUTSIDE THE PALACE.
Owing TO the limited space the people were
to have no sight Of the ceremony to be enacted
here, which was 10 constitute them a nation be-
fore the world. but outside they were to see
the beloved five barred and single starred nag
which Cespedes first threw 10 the breeze IN
1868, al the opening Of the Ten Years war
raised by the act of the United States above
the palace This thing which was to happen
had been the dream Of their lives. and Of many
of their ancestors II was no wonder then that
hours before the time set they began hocklns
here from all quarters of the city. Many we're
already before the palace with the rising sun,
and some even slept in the park, TO be certain
not to miss this sight part Of the Plaza was
kept clear by the police very early. the re-
nnaIrder was packed with people.
Soon all the side streets running into the
plaza were choled by a solid mass of humanity.
and every door and window fronting the square
was walled in with faces. Crowds sought the
roofs, overflowing every building that COM
r1anded e view of the flagstaff on the palace
AS far as the eye could see the roof lines were
fringed with human freight.
Drawn I'D below, in the open space Of the
plaza, were eight dismounted troops OF the 7th
Cavalry with sabres at their heels. Their
horses were already on board the steamer which
was to take them back to the United States.
Shortly before IL 80 a. m those who were TO
witness the ceremony began to arrive in
risges, through a street kept clear by the police
All the naval officers were arrayed in full uni
form, resplendent in gold braid and plumed
chapeaus The Cubans generally, wore black
frock coats white waistcoats and silk hats.
They formed a distinguished looking assemblage
as they gathered in the audience chamber.
THE NEW REPUBLICS PLEDGES.
The ceremony itself was brief and simple
After formal greetings General Wood read the
documentary transfer prepared by the War De
partment, pledging the new government i'm
mediately to proclaim the constitution and the
Platt amendment contained in the appendix. and
10 undertake all obligations assumed by the
United States with respect to Cuba in accord
ance with the Treaty of Paris
Senior Palma attached his signature 10 the
document as President of the republic, after
exchange Of congratulations, and the veteran
General Gomez ascended to the roof of the
palace. He was instantly recognized. and met
with an immense demonstration of welcome.
Troopers of the 9TH Cavalry lowered the Ameri-
can colors and hcisted those Of Cuba. AS they
futtered down, the cavalry below saluted their
flag. and, like an echo Of the cheers that arose.
came the distant boom of one Of the great guns
Of Cabanas Fortress across the bay. II was
followed by another and another until forty
five shots had been fired one for each State IN
the Union. AS the first gun spoke the flags on
Morro Castle and those on the Santa Clara and
Punta fcrtresses were lowered. The jurisdc-
tion Of the United States had ended
In the mean time Cuban flag had been bent
on the halliards Of the palace nagstan. and as
the flag flew free the streets below fairy seemed
10 rock with the cheer that IL caught
UP by the people on the roofs and rolled over
the city
GREAT DEMONSTRATION.
Again the cavalry below saluted. and again the
guns of Cabanas spoke. this time with ma
tional salute Of twenty-one guns. The hands
stationed in the plaza. at Cabanas and at
Maleccn began to play. and the revenue cutters
and battleships in the harbor thundered out a
salute. The foreign warshps hoisted the flag of
Cuba TO their msstheads and bestowed upon IT
the honors due 70 nations. The ensgns or
Great Britain and Italy had recognized the re
public
the cavalry wheeled and marched to the wharf,
where they Immediately embarked on the Morro
Castle
General Wood ard his ad1utant general
Colonel Scott, with two aids, after last eX-
change Of good wishes. were driven 10 the pier,
where they entered launch and were taken to
ke rH