Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-29

Jose Miguel Gomez was inaugurated
President OF the restored Cuban repub-
lie today at noon and within an hour
after he had taken the oath OF office,
administered by the chief justice of the
supreme court, the American officials
who had been in control of affairs since
the autumn of 1906. had departed from
tie island Oh battlcship and an army
transport.
The American provisional governor,
Charles T.. Magoon, who escorted Gen.
Gomez to the palace and there turned
over to him the reInS of government,
sailed on the new Maine. This feature
OF the program was entirely impromp-
tn fer it had been expected up to the
last inmate that the scout cruiser
birmingham would call for the depart
ing executive. The Maine was followed
out OF the harbor by the battleShip
Mississippi and the army transport
Mcclellan. An immense crowd gathered
along the sea walls to witness the
spectacle and perfect swarm of
yachts, tugs and small boats accom-
panic. the ships t. sea where full
speed ahead was signalled and the
gray fighting vessels and white trans
port soon loft the little tlOtllla behind,
with a chorus Of vari-toned whistles
serccC hing farewcls
4 Cuban gunboat also accompanied
the ships some little distance to sea,
with Il band Oh board playing from
time to time the Cuban National An
them. Large Cuban flags flow from the
foremost of the battlcships and trans
ports, and as they passed the narrow
channel entrance under the towering
white walls OF MORO. the Whitehead
Sailors of the Maine and Mississippi
manned the rails in unbroken ranks
from stem to stem. The scene SO filled
with significance was Il most impress
sive one, but the crowds ashore looked
on in characteristic silence.
Earlier in the day when Gov. Ma
goon ana Prcsidcnt-elect Gomez We're
st atcd side by side in the carriage
bound for the palace in the wake of a
galloIing escort of Rural Guards or
native cavalry there was the same
silence among the holiday thron&s
who Tired the Sidewalks. Hats were
Lifted as the carriage swept by ANA
the salutation was returned IN TIC
same manner by the governor and Ger
,ral Gomez. Tonight the city IS again
brilliantly illuminated and the streets
parks and waterfront cong"sted with
the outpouring of people. The palace
ana other public buildings arc afiam
with electric bulbs. Fireworks are
burning throughout the city in the same
profllsipn that charactcriZes the Fourti
of July in the United states. and cafes
are gay with music and singing. Some
of the Examinations are most unique,
especiailY in one of the parks Where
yari colorcd lights have been placed
in the green tops of the laurel trees
and palms The decorations on the
buildings everywhere are mosr cla5o-
rate, neing composed chiefly of tubaH
and Spanish t1ags Even the trolley
ears are laden with bunting, palms
and artificial flowers.
The departure Of Gov. Mago0n anC
The military officers who served a.
advisers to the native officials durinZ
the neriCd of intervention leaves aLoul
3A0a troops still on the island, under
command Of Major Generar Thomas H.
Barry These will be returned t" The
United states as fast as the TRANSPORT
service will permit. The last "i the
troops will leave on April 7.
The army has cndeavored Throughout;
10 manifest itself as little as roSsibl
and it win he still less in evidence nov
that the island is once again III native
hands.
Cuba begins her new period Of indie
uendence under conditions which seem
as pronritous as could be evolved
Peace reigns from the western e%-
tremities of Pinar Del RIO to the cast
ern nromontories of Santiago province
ard no disturbing element is anywhere
in evidence.
President Gomez goes into power as the
overwhelming choice of the people ana
the Liberal party to which he belongs
will have full sway in Congress No ma
ton ever seemed more favorably started
toward permanency of independence than
the island surrendered today by the
A,,ercop nacificators 1t is believed that
the people will realize their opportunity
and endeavor to make their second at
tempt at self government lasting sue
cess.
Con Gomez was one of the leaders OF
tho revolution against President ESTRADA
Palma. but he now seems popular Win
all classes American control OF a1alrs
has been sharply criticized from time TO
time and Gov. Magoon has been widely
cartooned. but the authorities sent nv
washington have endeavored to buiid up
the island and have spent money freely
on roads and buplc Improvements OF va
rious sorts. AS result of this, however
they have left a comparatively empty
treasury. The island is prosperous ana
the revenues are increasing steadiiy'
which in n great measure is compensa-
tory. - ~,
inauguration day was brilliant with
sunshine and very warm. crowds gather
ing in front of the palace in the early
forenoon. All the ships in the harbor'
including the American battleshlps' put
.., of aooc and remnants and