The Topeka state journal., 1909-01-28
Island Government Once More
Given Into Native Hands.
President Gomez Takes the Oath
of Office.
DAY is CELEBRATED
With a Display of Fireworks
and a Big Parade.
Gov. MagoOn Leaves Promptly
for the United States.

Havana Jan 2S-A new era of Gu
ban independence dawned today when
the affairs of the island. which have
been administered by American Of
ficials for more than two years as a re-
suit of the revolution against former
President Palma in 1906, were formally
transferred to the newly elected native
executives. January 2S Will hereafter
take rank with May 20, as a natal holi-
day in Cuba, for it was on the latter
day in 1902, that the island was first
transferred to the Cuban people by the
United States after a period of re-
Mobilization following the Spanish war
The coming of this new day of Cuban
liberty was signalled by general dis
play of fireworks, the screeching of
rockets and bombs, sending down
showers of golden rain and vart-col-
ored light. The streets of city which
were brilliantly Illuminated and gar
landed with chains of incandescent
bulbs, were thronged until an early
hour this morning and carnival spirit
everywhere prevailed. Thousands of
people gathered around the 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 quick
ly recognized on entering the building
and leaving it and loudly applauded
The balls were among the most bril-
of the Spanish occupation.
Began at Dawn.
The ceremonies of today began al
most with the dawn. and they will not
end until long after nightfall.
The inaugural parade, in which only
native troops, civil examinations and
the rural guards will participate, will
pass under the magnificent triumphal
arch erected in Monserrat square fac
ing Central park and it will be review
ed by President Gomez. 1t will not
start until 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 flagstaff of the place,
marking the end of the American in
tervention.
The Cuban flag has f1oated through
out this period, the American civil
governor and the American army Of
ficers detailed to supervise the various
governmental departments having real
ly served throughout as Cuban officials.
The old flag will be sent to Washing
ton and placed in the national museum.
Gomez Takes the Oath.
General Gomez, who plotted against
former President Palma, and who was
imprisoned by him for one month ana
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
and within one hour, thereafter Pro
visionaI Governor MagoOn and all the
early officers who have served in an
executive capacity were bound out OF
the harbor for home. Mr.. Magoon VIII
go on a WarShip conveyed by the pat
tIeships Maine and Mississippi While
the army officers will travel on board
the transport Mcclellan. Mr.. Magoon
goes to knights Key Fla, whence ne
will take a train direct to Washington
He is due in Washington, January 30,
at noon. The mcclellan VIII proceed 10
New York
Jose Miguel Gomez goes into power
as leader of the liberal coalition party
and as a result of the overwhelming
choice of the Cuban people in the cleo
tions last fall. The Cubans always held
it against former President Palma that
he was the choice of the American gov
ernment No such complaints can be
made in the case of President Gomez,
for the Americans studiously avoided
anything savoring of advice or sugges-
ton as to the candidates or the plat
form in the call for the last campaign.
He Rode With MagoOn.
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 very brief. Precisely at noon
President Gomez stepped out upon the ball
cony overlooking the Plaza de Armas and and
took the oath faithfully to enforce the
laws of the republic and defend the con-
stitution. The oath was administered by
the chief justice of the supreme court
Afterwards President Gomez, who is more
of a soldier than speaker, made short
address from the balcony.
Returning to the reception room of the
palace President Gomez received the final
decree, turning over all the affairs OF the
island, together with an order from Wash
ington terminating Mr.. Magoon's commits
sion as provisional governor
Vice President ZayaS was sworn in at a
special session of the senate this morning
| The house of representatives was also in
session