The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-20

the former CUBAN 1unCas Col w 1lliaIn
Astor Chanlers and a few other specially
invited guests.
The palace is an imposing, yellow
stone structure, the upper stories of its
front being built over stone co1onnade,
giving it a fine architectural effect. For
captains general of Spain. Since the
American occupation it has been the Of
fetal headquarters Of the military gov
ernor. 1t fronts an exquisite park the
Place de Armas. with it's stately royal
palms and species OF banyan trees, call
ed 'Iaurels of India" In the center is
a fine marble statue of Ferdinand VII
Through the center of the building an
archWay leads. as in all Spanish pal
aces, to the court. where a statue of
Columbus rises from q mass Of palms
and Towering plants. On either side of
the entrance, marble stafrways ascend
to the audience room which opens
through balcOnied windows upon the
plaza. In this chan Der the actual
transfer occurred It is an imposing
room, oblOng, with a lofty ceiling and
marble floor. It formed a hnc setting
for the historic occasion The chamber
Spaniards departed, except that the por-
traits of the captains general which
hung up on its walls, are gone. They
We're taken back to Spain, but coats OF
arms of Spain, with their royal quar-
terings, still hang above the windows,
which are screened by the same scarlet
curtains that were hanging during the
Spanish regime. The decorations, white
and gold, with the superb mirrors, have
also been preserved, just as they were
left by the Spaniards. The chair, with
a gold crown above its back which was
reserved for the Spanish monarch him
self, was visible in an adjoining apart
ment
THE SINGLE STARRED FLAG.
Owing to the limited space the people
were to have no sight of the ceremony
to be enacted here which was to con-
stitute them a nation before the world
but outside they were to witness a spec
tacIe which would stir their pulses for
they were to see the beloved five-barre
and single-starred flag which Cespedes
first threw to the breeze in 1868, at 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
their ancestors for generation Their
parents, brothers and friends had gone
to their deaths to accomplish it No
strange wonder then that hours before
the tine set they began fiOcking here
from all quarters of the city. Many were
already before the palace with the rising
sun, and some even slept in the park to
be sure not to miss this sight
portion of the plaza was kept clear
by the police very early. The remain
der was packed with people. so thick
that the ground seemed alive
Soon all the side streets running into
the plaza were choked into a solid mass
Of humanity and every door and win
dow fronting the square was walled in
with faces, white and black, old and
young, male and female. They covered
the roofs, overlooking every building
that commanded a view Of the flag staff
on the palace. AS far as the eye could
see the roof lines were fringed with
human freight. 1t was sight to live
forever in memory.
1rrrr7 haT Of
the plaza were s dismounted troops of
the Seventh cavalry with sabres at
their heels. Their horses We're already
on board the steamer which was to take
them back to the United States.
Shortly before 1880 a. m, those who
were to witness the ceremony began to
arrive in carriages through street kept
clear by the police. All the naval Off
GERS were arrayed in full uniform, re-
splendent in gold braid and plumed
chapeaux. Cubans generally wore black
frock suits, white Waistcoats and silk
hats.
BRIEF AND SIMPLE.
The ceremony itself was brief and
simple. After formal greetings General
Wood read the documentary transfer
prepared by the war department pledg-
ing the new government to Immediately
proclaim the constitution and the PIatt
amendment contained in the appendix,
and to undertake all obligations as
sumed by the United States with re-
spect to Cuba by the treaty of Paris.
WOOD PULLS DOWN FLAG.
Havana. May 20.-Senor Palma at
tached his signature to a document as
president of the Cuban republic, after
an exchange of congratulations and the
veteran general, Gomez, ascended to the
roof of the palace, where he was ac-
corded a great reception. General Wood
personally lowered the American colors,
which were saluted and with his own
hands, hOisted the Cuban flag, as an act
of the United States, General Gomez
assisting.
WOOD SAILS AWAY
Havana, May 20.-Gen. Wood and his
staff and the American troops embarked
Immediately after the hosting of the Gu
ban flag and the American ships steamed
out of the harbor.
TROOPS LEAVE SANTIAGO.
Havana May 20.-At the time the trans
fer took place in Havana, Gen. Whiteside
at Santiago turned over his authority to
his Cuban successor and sailed away with
! the American cavalry, which had been in
garrison there.