The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1902-05-24
BIRTH OF A NATION
UNITED STATES TRANSFERS CON.
TRoL OF THE GOVERN.
MENT OF CUBA.

pie and the Inauguration Of the New
Republic Causes BoundIess Enthu.
siasm-General Wood Given an En-.
thusiastic sendoff on His Departure
for the United States.
Havana, May 21.-The United States
has redeemed her promise to the
world. Havana and Santiago de Cuba
were during the day evacuated by
American troops, the reins of power
were handed over to President Palma
and now the government of Cuba is
free and the whole island is delirious(
with JOY.
Dramatic as was the remarkable
demonstration when the flag of the
United States was lowered and the
flag of the new republic hoisted in its
place at noon on the palace from
whence Spain had ruled the island for
centuries, it was hardly more stir
ring than the magnificent friendly
demonstration which attended the de-
parture of the cruiser Brooklyn as she
sailed out of Havana harbor few min
utes before o'clock p. m.
The enthusiasm in the city was
boundless. Many persons were liter
ally mad with joy over their new born
liberty. Firecrackers Of the giant va
riety were exploded on the sidewalks
and even in the cafes.
One hundred thousand visitors were
said to be in the city and the police
were utterly unable to cope with the
joy-intoxicated people.
The transfer occurred exactly at
noon. The ceremony was brief and
simple. General Wood and Senor
Palma faced each other. General Co.
mez stood Immediately behind his fu-
ture president, in an open space
around which clustered the other wit
nesses of
The Birth of the Republic.
Mr.. Bryan was in the front row of
spectators. In a low but clear voice
General Wood read his letter turning
over the island to the Cuban govern
ment. General Wood then handed
Senor Palma President Roosevelt's
letter. President Palma, who hardly
reached to General Woods shoulder,
had patiently listened to the reading,
and he Immediately replied in Spanish,
reading, as General Wood had done.
the formal acceptance of the condi-
tions imposed.
The presidents voice rose until It
rang through the chamber as he de-
clared his government accepted the
responsibilities of sovereignty.
The formal transfer was now over,
but President Palma added a few
words in English expressive of his
deep sense of gratitude to the Ameri-
can government and of his personal
thanks to General Wood, to which the
latter responded in most cordial
spirit. Then came the congratula-
tions. Everybody crowded about the
new president to shake his hand and
wish him success. General Gomez
embraced him according to the Span
ish custom. There were tears in the
eyes Of many persons present and
many of the Cubans hugged each other
for joy.
In the meantime there transpired a
scene outside the palace to stir the
pulses and live forever in the memory
of those who witnessed it. For one
hour before noon hundred thousand
people had stood with eyes
Glued on the American Flag
floating over the palace. Every bal.
cony, window, door and street around
the plaza and every roof, even those a
mile away, which con" manded a sight
of the fagpole, was thronged with hui
manity. AS the time approached for
the flag to be lowered several prema
ture demonstrations occurred. Bells
rang, steam sirens in the harbo1
shrieked and rockets and aerial bombs
were exploded. But these were mere
whispers compared with the volume
of sound which burst forth when the
American flag came down at 1910
When the signal was given that the
ceremony inside was over, the hal
yards were loosed and the American
colors floated slowly down. The Amer
ican cavalry below saluted and the
cavalry band played "The Star Span
gled Banner" A roar which rolled
over the entire city went up from the
| populace and like an echo came the
distant boom of one of the great guns
| at the Cabanas fortress across the bay
the first of forty five such detonations
one for every state in the Union. The
| American flag had been lowered at Ca
banas and from Moro and the Other
forts around the city simultaneously
with the one over the palace. Then al
the bells in the city added to the din
Giant frecrackers were exploded unit
pail of smoke arose over the city
| All this was kept up for five minute:
until the Cuban flag was hoisted. A!
| it blew free over the palace and rost
on the forts to the south of the as
sembled thousands that cheer was re
doubled again. The guns of Cabana,
| spoke this time with the national
Salute Of Twenty-one Guns.
The United States cruiser Brooklyn
and the English and Italian Warshipi
in the harbor set the flag of the new
republic at the main and also salutet
it with 21 guns. The Cuban bandl
stationed on the plaza, at Malcon, Nor
70 and in other places in the city
blazed forth in pride of their country
while the guns of the ships thunderet
the strength of war.
But it was the demonstration of thu
people that overshadowed all the rest
Their vivas were like the roars of tht
ocean. They rose and fell. Wome1
waved handkerchiefs, fans and par
asols. Men jumped up and down TO
joy and everybody embraced his neigh
Dor. Tears flowed from many eyes
but the shouting did not cease. Th'
crowds shouted vivas for the Unitet
States, for President Palma. for Gen
| arol Connaz and for General Wnnd ani