The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-02-05
REAL CUBA L|BRE NOW
GOMEZ IS INAUeURATeo AND
AMERICANS QUIT ISLAND.
srBlNS NOW PADDLE OWN CANOE
,,..,,,, Takes on the Airs OF a Real
CAPITOL and Cuban Flags Float
Everywhere.

Havana cuba. Gable: a new era OF
| c.fsr Independence dawned Thurs
-, when the affairs OF the island.
strh have been administered by
American officials for more than two
g. n. result Of the revolution
~,irs, former President Palma in
140f were formally transferred 10 the
nevis elected native executive. Jan
nary !, win hereafter take rank with
"a, -U as a national holiday In Cuba.
m 10 was on the latter day in 1902
,t,f rrs island was first transferred to
IN. Cuban people by the United States
Altar period Of rehabilitation follow
lnr ls Spanish war.
The coming 81 this new day OF Gu
han liberty was signaled by a general
asniat 0f fireworks. the velvet black
re.s ~ the tropical midnight being set
sasme hy screeching rockets and
bomhs which sent down golden show
ers of golden rain and cleaning. vari-
co.orei lights.
The Nominations probably were the
NOS. elaborate ever seen here. The
ron-s provided for the purpose was
subscribed unstintedly and the parks
and ,he principal thOrOughfares Of the
c.'r we're transformed into a veritable
f-,Iand The streets were crowded
Nth a holiday throng. among which
ue-. hundreds OF American tourists.
A notable ceremony was the deco
ration NJ the old batileship Maine with
elaborate wreaths OF garlands and
hosting a' hali-mast on the prOtruding
military top a new American flag. This
idea oriEinated among the crew OF the
rep laftieship Maine, which now is
In ne harhor
General Gomez. who plotted against
former President Palma. and who was
imprisoned By him for one month and
released only when William n Taft
cane -0 he island As the first official
under the American Intervention. took
fh- oath Of Office as President OF the
republic 90 noon. and within one hour
thereafter Provisional Governor Ma
COON and all the army officers who
have served in an executive capacity.
were bound out OF the harbor for
home
Jose M-uel Gomez goes into power
as fte o8der Of the Liberal Coalition
paris and rs a result Of the over
uhe.un- choice Of the Cuban people
o. -he elections Of last fall The Gu
hans always held II against former
President Palma that he was the
choice ~ the American Government
81 such complaints can be made in
tae case 90 President Gomez for the
Americans sfudiOusiy avoided any
th.u- ,avoring Of advice or sugses-
zion as to he candidates or the plat
tom p the last campaign
Ihe ceremonies 81 Inauguration !
Vcra brief Precisely al noon Priest /
Gem Gomez stepped ont upon the hal /
cons oferooking the Plaza de Armas |
ara frok ne oath 10 faithfully en- /
force he laws Of the republic and 10 1
defend ihe constitution. The oath /
vas administered by the chief justice |
q 'he Supreme Court. Afterward I
President Gomez. who is more Of a I
soldier than a speaker. delivered a /
brief address from the balcony. War. /
sh.rs r 'he harbor and the forts on 4
shore Erred salutes in honor OF the new \
Pres DENT
Rel rrning 10 the reception room OF 4
ne palace. Gomez received from the 4
hands of Mr. Magoon the final decree
turning over all the affairs OF the isl.
anl. to1eiher with an order from
" asainrfQn terminating Mr. MagOoa's
commission as Provisional Governor.
There is q feeling OF optimism ev-
r. "here and for the time being
politicians are putting aside their
eiHerences IN the general rejoicing al
having their own government again.
lA- newspapers joyfully predict sue
,r's Tor The new regime. and most Of
Il M thank The American officials for
"lai They have done for the island.