The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-02-11
NOW OUT OF CUBA
American Army No Longer Occupies
the Country -
INDEPENDENT AFTER MANY YEARS
The Last indication of Foreign Occu-
nation Has Been Removed From
the Island.

Havana, By Cable.-The last vestige
of the Amarican occupation or Cuba
disappeared Thursday afternoon when
the American flag was lowered from
the Cabana barracks, and the last bat
TALON of American soldiers marched to
the Tristornia pier and boarded the
United States army transport sum.
ner.
The Sumner had brought the Seven
teenth and Nineteenth company OF
United States artillery from Santiago,
and these troops participated with the
Twenty-frst and the Twenty-second
companies, who have been stationed
here in the evacuation Of Cabana bar
racks.
President Palma and the members OF
his cabinet, Gen. Rodriguez, command
er of the rural guards, United States
Minister Squires and the members OF
the legation staff took their places In
the centre of the parade ground. After
the soldiers had presented arms, the
American flag was slowly lowered from
the staff over the barracks, a salute OF
21 guns meanwhile being fired from
the fortress. The Cuban flag was raised
in its place and also saluted With Il
guns. President Palma then addressed
Mr. Squires and Major Brown, COM
mander of the American troops. say
ing:
I'VE are confronted by one OF the
most extraordinary facts recorded in
the annals Of universal history, the de-
parture from our shores OF the last
troops the United States has kept in
Cuba, after helping us to secure our
independence and the blessings OF free
dom. They could stay longer, under
any pretext whatever, or an UNJUST
demand could be imposed upon us but
on the contrary, the government Of the
United States identified as it is with
the liberal spirit and noble character OF
the American people, willingly proves.
its disinterestedness and the sincerity
of the aid it rendered US by taking
these men away and showing, at the
same time, that we have, as an inde-
pendent people, the confidence OF ono
of the most powerful nations on
earth.
This act of the United States in
withdrawing its, troops from Cuban
territory reflects upon it everlasting
glory and makes US proud of our de-
liyerers, for it means that nobody
doubts our ability to govern ourselves
or to maintain peace and order and
guarantee the rights OF all the inhabi-
tants Of this island. This new consid-
Grafton shown us, together with the.
services we have previously received
at their hands, will bind the CUBAN
people to the American people forever
in a strong tie of sincere gratitude.
Major Brown replied to President
Palma and thanked him for his kinda
ness to the American officers and so
diers. He said he believed he voiceaI,
the opinions OF his comrades IN say
ing that there were no better people
ON earth than those Of Cuba and ex-
pressed the hope that Senor rama
would serve many years as Presldeht'
adding that the first part OF his aamln-
istration was a guarantee for success
in the future. After this reply, all
troops marched past in platoon forma-
tion and boarded the Sumner.
The Sumner will sail tomorrow,
leaving the Twenty-frst and twenty
second companies of artilley at fort
Barrancas, Fla. and taking the others
to Fort Washington, Md.