Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-02-05
TROOPS leave CUBA
Lowering Of the American Flag
Removes Last yestige of
American Occupation
PALMA's SPEECH OF GRATITUDE
Says That This Act of the United
States Reflects Upon That Nation
Everlasting Glory and Makes the
Now Independent Cuban People
Proud of themselves-Rids Godspeed

Havana. Feb. 5.-The last vestige of
the American occupation of Cuba dis
appeared yes, erday AFTERNOON when the
American flag was lowered from the
Cabana barracks and the last battalion
of American soldiers marched to the
Triscornia pier and boarded the Unit ed
States army transport Sumner
Standing on the plain alear Cabana
fortress between a line of American
rounded by crowd of Americans and
Cubans. President Palma feslingiy
voiced his appreciation OF all that the
Americans have done for Cuba.
After the soldiers had mesented
arms the american flag was slowly
lowered from the staff over the barr
racks, a salute OF twenty lone guns
meanwhile being fred from the fort
ress. The Cuban flag was raised On Its
place and also saluted with with twen-
ty-one guns. President Palma thran
addressed Minister Squ-rs and Major
Brown. commander OF the American
troops, saying:
Palna's Speech.
"On this momentous occasion the
sincerity and depth of my feelings
overcome me, and my heart must sup
ply my deficiency of words. We ore
confronted by one OF the most ex-
IN Al
nails of universal history. the departure
from our shores of sChe las. 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 con-
erary, the government of the United
States. identified as It Is with the NIB
eral spirit and noble character OF
the American people, willingly proves
It's disiin;ares.edness and the sincerity
Of the aid 1t rendered us by taking
these men away and showing us at the
same time tIaat we have. as AN icide-
pendent people. the confidence of one of
the most powerful nations on earth.
"This act of the United States IN
withdrawing its troops from Cuban
territory reflects upon II everlasting
glory ana makes us proud of ourselves,
for II means that nobody doubts our
ability 20 govern ourselves or 10 main
tain peace and order and guarantee the
rights of all the lima hi:ants of this
leland. This new consideration 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 sim
cere gratitude.
II beg you, Mr.. Squiers. TO be the in
terpreter of these feelings TO the gov
eminent and the people OF the Unite
States. beg all present to bid god
sped to the departing officers and SOL
dieIs. and to express QUE wishes for the
increasing prosperity and welfare OF
the American nation
Major Brown replied to President
Palma and thanked him for his kind
ness to the American officers and SOL
diers. He said he believed he voiced
the opinions OF his comrades in saying
that there were no better people on
earth than those of Cuba, and ex-
pressed the hope that Senior Palma
would serve many years as president,
adding that the success OF the first part
of his adrlinlsurat ion was a guarantee
for success in the future.
After this reply a! the troops
ma rched past in platoon formation and
boarded the Sumner, which sailed
today.