The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-05-24
Independence Formally Given to Cuba on Tuesday
of This Week.
THE UNITED STATES WITHDRAWS ITS FOR
Ceremony of Transfer Very Smple-Itis Now President
Estrada Palma.


historic occasion. The chamber is
today exactly as it was when the
Spaniards departed, except that the
portraits of the captains general
which hung upon its walls are gone.
They we're taken back to Spain, but
the coats of arms, with their royal
quarterings, still hang above the win
dows, which are screened by the
same scarlet curtains that were hang
ing during the Spanish regime. The
decorations, white and gold, with
superb mirrors, have also been pre-
served, just as they were left by the
Spaniards. The chair with a gold
crown above its back, which was
reserved for the Spanish monarch
himself, was visible in an adjoining
apartment.
Owing to the limited space, the
people were to have no sight of the
ceremony to be enacted here which
was to constitute them nation before
the world but outside they were to
witness a spectacle which would stir
their pulses, for they we're to see the
beloved five-barred and single-starred
flag which Gespedes 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 sncestors for generations. Their
parents, brothers and friends had
gone to their deaths to accomplish it.
No strange wonder then that, hours
before the time set, they began
Hooking 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 certain
not to miss this sight.
A portion of the plaza was kept
clear by the police very early. The
remainder was packed with people, so
thick that the grounds seemed alive.
Soon all the side streets running
into the plaza were choked into a
solid mass of humanity, and every
door and window fronting the square
was walled in with faces, white and
black, old and young, male and
female. Then crowdssought the roofs,
Overlooking every building that COM
manded a view Of the flagstaff on the
palace. AS far as the eye could see
the roof lines we're fringed with
human freight. 1t was sight to
live forever in memory.
Drawn up below, in the open space
of the plaza, were eight dismounted
troops of the Seventh cavalry, with
sabers at their heels. Their horses
were already on board the steamer
which was to take them back to the
United States.
Shortly before 11:3O a. m those
who were to witness the ceremony
began to arrive in carriages through
street kept clear by the police. AL
the naval officers were arrayed in full
uniform, resplendent in gold brait
and plumed chapeaux. The Cuban'
generally wore black frock suits, white
waistcoats and silk hats. They form
ed a distinguished looking assemblag'
as they gathered in the audience
chamber.
The ceremony itself was brief anC
simple. After formal greetings, Gen
: eral Wood read the documentar.
transfer prepared by the war depart
. ment, pledging the new government
5 Immediately to proclaim the consti
tion and the Platt amendment con
/ tanned in the appendix and to under
take all obligations assumed by th'
J United States with respect to Cub
! by the treaty Of Paris.
! Senator Palma attached his sigma
1 ture to the document as president 0
the republic after an exchange Of con
E gfatulations and the old veteran
Z General Gomez, ascended the roof 0
J the palace. He was Instantly recog
nized and met with great demonstra
r tion Of welcome. General Wood him
self undld the halyards from the flag