The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-05-22
around which clustered the other wit


around which clustered the other wit
nesses of
, The Birth OF the Republic.
Mr.. Bryan was in the front row of
spectators. In low but clear voice
General Wood read his letter turning
over the island to the Cuban govern
ment. General Wood then handed
Senior Palma President Rooseyelt'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-
tons imposed ~. 49,
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
put 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 a most cordial
spirit. Then came the congratula-
lions. Everybody crowded about the
new president to shake his hand and
wish him success. General Gomez
embraced him according to the Span
1sh, custom. There were tears in the
eyes OF many persons present and
many of the Cubans Rugged 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 a 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 commanded a sight
OF the flagpole, was thronged with hui
mainly. AS the time approached for
the flag to be lowered several prema-
ture demonstrations occurred. Bells
rang, steam sirens in the harbor
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 f1oated slowly down. The Amer
lean cavalry below saluted and the
cavalry band played s'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 all
the bells in the city added to the din.
Giant firecrackers were exploded until
a pail of smoke arose over the city.
All this was kept up for five minutes
until the Cuban flag was hoisted. AS
it blew free over the palace and rose
on the forts to the south of the as
sembled thousands that cheer was re-
doubled again. The guns of Cabanas
spoke this time with the national
Salute of Twenty-one Guns.
The United States cruiser Brooklyn
and the English and Italian warships
in the harbor set the flag of the new
republic at the main and also saluted
it with Fl guns. The Cuban bands
stationed on the plaza, at Mdlcon, Nor
70 and in other places in the city,
blazed forth in pride of their country,
while the guns of the ships Numbered
the strength of war.
But it was the demonstration of the
people that OVershadOWed all the rest.
Their Vivas were like the rOars of the
ocean. They rose and fell. Women
waved handkerchiefs, fans and par
asols. Men jumped up and down for
joy and everybody embraced his neigh
Dor. Tears flowed from many eyes,
but the shouting did not cease. The
crowds shouted viyas for the United
States, for President Palma, for Gen
eral Gomez and for General Wood, and
it was 10 minutes before the storm of
sound began to subside and there was
another wild roar as General Wood
and the American officers left the pal
ace for the pier.
Departure Of General Wood.
In the. meantime the troops of cav
airy in the plaza had quietly marched
to the wharf and embarked on the
Ward line steamer Moro Castle. Gen
eral Wood and his aides were escorted
to the pier by President Palma, the en-
tire cabinet, the Cuban congress and
the consular corps. They were also
accompanied by the best Cuban band
in Havana: The demonstration they
received along the route was remarka-
BILE and left no doubt of the graft
tude and good will of the Cubans to-
ward the Americans. General Wood
and the officers then entered the steam
launch and were taken across the bay
to the Brooklyn.
AS General Wood climbed up the
side of the cruiser and set foot on her
deck, the marine guard on board was
paraded and the former governor gen.
eral of the island was given a salute
of Fl guns.
GAYNOR AND GREEN.
limited States ATTORNEYS Confident Ex.