The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-05
LAST AMERICAN
TROOPS DEPART
United States Flag is Lowered
in Cuba
PRESIDENT PALMA SPEAKS
No Longer Vestiee of American oc-
cupation on the lsIand-Two Peo-
plies Are Bound Close
Together.
PRESIDENT PALMA SPEAKS

Havana, February 4-The last vestige
of the American occupation of Cuba dis
appeared this afternoon when the Amer-
can flag was lowered from the Cuban
barracks and the last battalion OF Amer
lean soldiers marched to the Triscornia
pier and boarded the United States trans
port Sumner
Standing on the plan near Cabanas
fortress, between a line of American and
line of Cuban troops, and surrounded
by crowd of Americans and Cubans,
President Palma fcelingly voiced his ap-
probation of all that the Americans have
done for Cuba.
The Sumner had brought the Seven
teenth and Nineteenth companies of Uni
ted States artillery from Santiago and
these troops participated with the Twen-
ty-first and Twenty-second companies,
who have been stationed here in the
evacuation of the Cabanas barracks.
Flag Slowly Lowered.
President Palma and the members of his
cabinet, General Rodriguez, commander
CT the rural guard; United States Min
lister Squiers and the members of the
legation staff, took their places facing the
center of the parade ground. After the
soldiers had presented arms, the Ameri-
can flag was slowly lowered from the
staff over the barracks, a salute of twen-
ty-one guns meanwhile being fired from
the fortress. The Cuban flag was raised
in Its place and also saluted with TWEEN
ty-one guns. President Palma then adj
dressed Mr. Squiers and Major Brown,
commander of the American troops say
ing.
President Palma Speaks.
"On this momentous occasion the sim
certify and depth of my feeling overcome
me, and my heart must supply my def
cheney of words. We are confronted by
one of the most extraordinary facts re-
corded in the annals of universal history
the departure from our shores of the last
troops the United States had kept in Cuba
after helping us to secure our independ-
ence and the blessings of freedom.
They could stay longer under any pre-
text whatever, or an unjust demand could
be imposed upon us. but on the contrary
the government of the United States iden-
titled as it is with the liberal spirit and
noble character of the American people,
willingly proves It's disinterestednes 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 peopie Ine commence OF one
of the most powerful nations on earth
Nobody Doubts Our Ability.
This act of the United States in with
drawing its troops from Cuban territory
reflects upon it everlasting glory and
makes us proud of ourselves for 1t 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 consdera-
ton shown us. together with the service
we have previously received at their
hands, will bind the Cuban people to the
American people forever In strong tie
of sincere gratitude.
II beg you, Mr.. Squiers, to be the in
terpreter of these feelings to the gov
eminent and the people of the United
States. ! ask all present to bid God
speed to the departing officers and sold
iers and to express our wishes for the
increasing prosperity and welfare OF the
American nation"