Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-29
GOMEZ SEATED:
AMERICAN RULE
IN CUBA ENDED
INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT
BRILLIANT AFFAIR
AMERICANS LEAVE AS SOON As
REINs ARE TURNED OVER
Ceremonies Attending Re-estabIIsh.
ment of lnsular Republic Close
with Magnificent BaII-Many
NotabIes Present
LBy Associated Press.l ]

III AVANA, Jan. 2S.-Jose Miguel
IT Gomez was inaugurated first
president Of the re-established
Cuban republic at a few minutes after
noon today, and Ne American control
of insular affairs came to an end, with
the departure of former Governor Ma
goon and all the provisional officials.
The Americans left the harbor on
WarShips and transports immediately
after the formal turning over of the
government to the native officials.
An immense crowd stood with barred
heads in the Plaza de Armas, facing
the palace, when President Gomez
stepped out on the palace balcony and
took the oath of office from the chief
justice of the supreme court
The president was surrounded by the
dfgnitaries of state and the members
OF the diplomatic corps and special en-
voys in brilliant uniforms.
The day was intensely warm. There
was little or nc cheering from the
holi-ay throng lining the thorough
fares over which the inaugural process
sion passed, the Cubans contenting
themselves with raising their hats as
joint salute to the new president and
the departing American governor.
A new era of 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 formally transferred to the
newly elected native executives.
New National Holiday
January % will hereafter take rank
with May 20 as a national holiday in
+I0 1o%4 Il
that the island was first transferred
to the Cuban people by the United
States, after period of rehabilitation.
following the Spanish war.
The coming of this day of Cuban
liberty was signalized by a general
display of fireworks, the screeching Of
rockets and bombs sending down
showers of golden rain and vari-colored
lights.
The streets of the city, which were
brilliantly Illuminated and garlanded
with chains of incandescent bulbs
were thronged all night and I'D to
midnight tonight and a carnival spirit
everywhere prevailed.
Thousands of people gathered around
e chief clerks club throughout the
night, where inaugural and farewell
balls were held jointly in honor of
President Gomez and Vice President
Zayas, and Governor General Magoon,
all three Of whom were quickly recog-
n1zed on entering the building and
leaving it, and loudly applauded.
The balls constituted one of the most
brilliant functions held here since the
days of the Spanish rule
The ceremonies today began almost
VII the dawn, and they did not end
until long after nightfall.
Reviews Inaugural Parade
The inaugural parade, in which only
native troops, civil organizations and
rural guards participated, passed un-
der the magnificent triumphal arch
erected IN Gonzerrate square, facing
Central park, and it was reviewed by
President Gomez. 1t did not start un-
til late this afternoon.
One of the first ceremonies of this
morning was the placing of a wreath
on the tablet marking the house in
which Jose Marti, the Cuban patriot,
was born.
Next came. the presentation of the
new Cuban flag, which was raised on
the flag staff Of the palace marking
the end of the American intervention.
The Cuban flag has flown throughout
this period, the American civil COVER
nor and the American army officer de-
tailed to supervise the various govern
mental departments really having
| served throughout as Cuban officials.
The old flag will be sent to Washing
ton and placed in the national mu-
scum.
General Gomez, who plotted against
former President Palma and who was
| imprisoned by him for one month and
released only when Secretary of War
Taft came to the island to settle the
| revolution of 1906, took the oath of Of
flee as president of the republic at noon,
III
| ional Governor Magoon and all army
officers who have served in executive
capacity were bound out Of the harbor
for home.
Americans Leave Cuba
Mr.. Magoon went on a warship con-
voyed by the battleships Maine and
Mississippi. while the army officers
Travelled on board the transport Nc
Clellan.
Mr.. Magoon goes to Knights Key,
Fla, whence he will take a train di-
| rectly to Washington. The Mcclellan
will proceed to New York
Jose Miguel Gomez goes into power
| as leader of the liberal coalition party
| as a result of the overwhelming choice
of the Cuban people last fall The Gu
bans always held it against former
President Palma that he was the choice
of the American government. No such
COlll lDidLIlS Cctu DG Ifldu0 III the case OIL
| President Gomez. for the Americans
studiously avoided anything savoring Of
advice or suggestion as to the candi-
| dates or the platform in the call for
| the last campaign.
President Gomez was escorted this
morning from his home directly to the
palace by detachments of troops and
| the rural guards. He rode in the same
carriage with Governor Magoon. who
| called for him with a native military
| guard of honor.
| The ceremonies Of inauguration at
| the palace were brief Precisely at
noon President Gomez stepped out upon
| the balcony overlooking the Plaza de
! Armas and took the oath faithfully to
enforce the laws of the republic and
defend the constitution. Afterwards
| President Gomez, who is more Of a
soldier than a speaker. made a short
address from the balcony.
Returning to the reception at the
palace. President Gomez received from
| the hands of Mr. Magoon the final de-
cree turning over all the affairs of the
| island, together with an order from
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