Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1909-01-30
p Ro SIGNAL GOVERNMENT
WHICH HAS CONDUCTED AF.
FAIRS IN ISLAND SINCE 1905,
STEPS ASIDE.
HAVANA STARTS ON
FOUR DAYS FETE
NATIVES OF LITTLE REPUBLIC,
REJOlCED AT REGAINING INDE-
PENDENcE, GIVE AMERICANS
ENTHUSIASTIC FAREWELL.

iA1Nethi jail GS."l ue new eTd vi
Cuban independence dawned today
when the affairs Of the island which
have been administered by American
officials for more than two years as a
result of the revolution against former
President Palma in 1906, were formal
ly transferred to the newly elected ma
tive executives. The coming of this
new day of Cuban liberty was signalled
by great display of fireworks at mid
night. The streets of the city which
were brilliantly illuminated and gar
landed with chains of incandescent
bulbs were thronged until an early
hour this morning and the carnival
spirit everywhere prevailed.
Gomez Sworn in at Noon.
The ceremonies of today began al
most with dawn, they will not end un-
til long after nightfall. The inaugural
parade in which only native troops,
civil organizations and rural guards
participated passed under a magni1l.
cent triumphal arch erected in Mon
serrate square where it was reviewed
by President Gomez General Gomez
took the oath of Office as president Of
the republic at noon and within an
hour thereafter Provisional Governor
Magoon and all the army officers who
served in an executive capacity were
bound out of the harbor for home
The Cubans seem just awakening TO
the fact that their second period of In
dependence is at hand and for the first
time are showing popular interest in
the trend of affairs
Governor Magoon last night gave .
dinner in honor of the special ENJOYS
sent here from the various Latin-Amer-
lean countries and from Washington
to attend the Inauguration.
Farewell Ball Biggest Event.
The biggest event Of the evening.
however, was farewell ball given by
the municipality to the outgoing Amer
lean officials. 1t was held in the ball
room in Center de Dependencies, a
tremendous building owned by an or
ganizatiOn Of 10000 clerks.
1t was the most brilliant affair seen
here for years. Governor Magoon
diplomatists, army and navy officers
and many prominent Cubans attended
Two bands furnished the music. At a
late hour bombs and other forms Of
fireworks were sent up from all the
public parks and from the roofs of tn,
police stations
The first event this morning was the
placing of a wreath upon the tablet
marking the birthplace of Marti, the
apostle Of Cuban liberty, the anniver
sary Of whose birth it is. At o'clock
in the afternoon feast will be giver
the prisoners in the city Jail. There
will be FIVE military parades, and a
7:3O D. M, there will be fireworks, etc
The inaugural festivities will last unit
Sunday night. On Monday night tht
regular winter carnival season opens
Flowers for the sunken Maine.
A notable ceremony Of yesterday
was the decorating of the old battle
ship Maine with elaborate wreaths y
sarlands and hosting at half-mast or
the protruding military top a new
! American flag. This idea originated
among the crews of the new battleshiI
Maine, which now is in the harbor
who subscribed $3.50 for the flower
and green's.
Magoon Issues Last DEGREES.
Governor Magoon issued a decree
during the day declaring all his vari
GUS acts, DEGREES and orders shall con
tinue in force until otherwise ordered
by the regularly constituted govern
ment. This was done for fear some
thing might be considered ineffective
with the end of the provisional gov
ernment. another decree dissolve
the advisory commission of fifty men
bers.
There is feeling of optimism every
where and for the time being polit
clans are putting aside their differ
ences in the general rejoicing at hay
ing their own government again. TIL
newspapers joyfully predict success
for the new regime, and most Of ther
thank the American officials for wha
they have done for the island
President Sends Message.
Washington, D. c., Jan. 2S.-A me;
sage expressing hope for Cuba's SUI
cess was sent by President RooseveI
to the president and congress of tn
republic of Cuba today.
Des Mones Man Elected.
Kansas City, Jan. %. = The Yves