The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-05
OLDGLORY COMES DOWN
CUBAN FLAG HoIsTED IN ITS
 PLACE.
No American Troops Lett in Cuba President Palma Voices the Grat- itude of His Country to
 United States.

Havana, Feb. 1.-The last vestige of | the American occupation of Cuba disap- peared this afternoon when the Amert- ! can flag was lowered from the Cuban
 barracks and the last battalion of Amer ican soldiers marched to the Frtscornia pier and boarded the United States army transport Sumner.
 Standing on the plain near Cabanas l fortress, between a line of American and line of Cuban troops, and surrounded | hv a crowd of Americans and Cubans, President Palma feelingly voiced his ap- preciation of all that the Americans have done for Cuba.
 The Sumner had brought the 17th and 18th companies of United States artillery from Santiago, and these troops partlci- pated with the Fist and the 22nd com panies, which have been stationed here, in the evacuation of the Cabanas bar l racks President Palma and the members of his cabinet, General Rodriguez com mander of the rural Iguards, United States Minister Squiers and the mem- bere of the legation stan took their places facing the center of the parade ground. After the soldiers had presented arms. the American flag was slowly lowered from the staff over the barracks, sa- lute of twenty-one guns meanwhile be- ing fired from the fortress. The Cuban flag was raised in it's place, and also sa- luted with twenty-one guns.
 President Palma then addressed MT Squiers and Major Brown, commander of the American troops, saying:
 "On this momentous occasion, the sin cerity and depth of my feelings over come me and my heart must supply my deficiency of words. We are confronted by one of the most extraordinary facts recorded in the annals of universal his- tory, the departure from our shores of the last troops the United States had kept in Cuba. after helping us to secure our independence and the blessings of freedom.
 "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 Amer lean people willingly proves It's disinter- estedness and the sincerity of the aid it rendered us by taking these men away and showing us at the same time that we have as an independent people. the confidence of one of the most powerful nations on earth.
 This act of the United States in with drawing 1t stroops from Cuban territory reflects upon it everlasting glory and makes us proud of ourselves, for it means that nobody doubts our ability to govern ourselves or to maintain peace and order and guarantee the rights of all the inhab- itants of this island. This new consider ation shows us together with the ser- vices we have previously received at thei" hands will bind the Cuban people to tho American people forever in a strong tie of sincere gratitude.
 ''T beg you. MT. Squlers, to be the inter-
 preter of these feelings to the government and the people of the United States. I beg all present to bid God-speed to the departing officers and soldiers and to ex- press our wishes for the increasing pros-
 per!ty and welfare of the American na- tion."
 Major Brown replied to the Pre-flent
 and thanked him for his kindnesses to tho American officers and soldiers He said
 he believed that he voiced the opinions of
 his comrades in saying that he believed there was no better people on earth than these in Cuba. and said that he ho ed
 MT Palma would serve many years as President. adding that he believed the success of the first part of his adri"is-
 tration was guarantee of the success in the future.
 After this reply, all the troops marched past in platoon formation and boarded
 the Sumner.
 There were many more American s0ec- tators present than Cuban and the only diplomat beside the Minister of the Uni
 ted States was the Chinesa minirter. who was accompanied by his staff. The Brit ish minister sent his regrets. The Sumner will sail tomorrow. leaving
 the Fist and 22nd companies of artillery at Fort Barancas. Fla. and taking ths others to Fort Washington, Md.