The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1904-02-11
is DOWN
LAST vEsrioE or AMERICAN &C.
cupATioN or CUBA CONE.
THE EVACUATION is NOW ClEPlETE
-Four Companies Of Artillery sailed scr
" 3 Thursdsy--Prsolden Palma
and his Cabinet Present at the
Evacuation Of cabanss Barracks
az Havana.

HAVANA Especially The last YES
uee Of the American o-cncpation OF
Cuba disappeared Thursday afternoon
when the American flag was lowered
from the Cabanas barracks and the
last battalion OF American soldiers
marched TO the Triscornia pier and
boarded the United States army trans
port Sumner.
Standing on the plain near Cabanas
fortress. between a line OF American
and a line Of Cuban troops and sur
rounded by a crowd OF Americans n
Cubans. President Palma feelingly
voiced his appreciation OF an that the
Americans have done for Cuba.
The Sumner had brought the Seven
teenth and Nineteenth companies OF
United States artillery from Santiago.
and these troops participated. with the
rwentyf first and Twenty-second com
panies who have been stationed here.
In the evacuation OF the Cabanas bar.
racks.
President Palma and the members
OF his cabinet, General Rodriguez,
commander OF the rural guards; Unit.
ed States Minister squlers and the
members Of the legation staff took
their places facing the center OF me
parade ground. The lines Of troops
consisted OF four American artillery
companies, a company OF Cuban ar
ullery, a company OF rural guards on
foot and a troop OF rural guards
mounted.
After the soldiers had presented
arms. the American nag was slowly
lowered from the staff over the bar
racks. q salute Of twenty-one guns
meanwhile being fired from the fort
ress. The Cuban flag was raised in
its place and also saluted with twenty
one guns. President Palma then ad
dressed Mr.. Squiers and Major Brown,
commander OF the American troops,
saying:
~On this momentous occasion. the
sincerity and depth OF my feelings
overcome me and nay heart must sup
ply my deficiency o. words. We are
confronted by n OF the most extra.
ordinary facts recorded In the annals
81 universal history, the departure
from our shores d the last troops the
Unlted States had kept Ia Cuba after
helping us 20 secure our independence
aud tho blessings OF freedom. They
SOLID stay no longer. under any pre-.
text whatever. or an unjust demand
eould be imposed upon us. but. on the
contrary, the government OF the Unit.
ed States. identified as il Is with the
liberal spirit ard noble character OF
the American people. willingly proves
It's disinterestedness aud sincerity OF
the aid Il rendered as BY taking these
men away and showing ms, az the same
time. that NE have. as an independent
people. the confidence OF one OF the
most powerful nations on earth.
This act Of the United States in
W~ithdrawing is troops from Cuban
territory reflects upon Il everlasting
glory and makes rs proud Of ourselves.
Tor Il me 2 that nobody doubts our
ability TO govern ourselves, or 10 main
tain peace and order and guarantee
the rights Of all the Inhabitants Of
this island, This new consideration
shown us. together with the services
We have previously received al their
hands. viii bind the Cuban people. 10
the American people forever In a
strong tie OF sincere gratitude.
Il beg you. Mr. squiers. 20 be the
interpreter OF these feelings 90 the
government and the people Of the
United States. ] beg gil present 10
Godspoed the departing officers and
soldiers and 10 express a wishes for
the increasing prosperity and welfare
] OF the American nation"
Major Brown replied 10 President
Palma and thanked him for his kind
ness 20 the American officers and sol
diers. He said he believed his voiced
the opinions OF his comrades IN say
Ing that there were no better people
on earth than those Of Caba. and ex'
pressed the hope that Senior Palma
would serve many years as president
adding that the success Of the first
part OF his administration was a guar.
antee for success Ia the future. AFTER
this reply, all the troops marched
past IN platoon formation and boarded
the Sumner.
There were many more American
spectators present thar cubans. and
the only diplomat 10 witness the dc
parture OF the Americans was the Chi
nese minister. who was accompanied
BY his staff. The British minister sent
his regrets.
The Sumner viii sail Friday. ieavini
the Twenty-nrst and Twenty-secone
companies OF artillery at Fort Bar
ranacas. Fla. and taking the other
20 Fort Washington. Nd.