The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-01-28
JOSE MIGUEL GOMEZ
Is NOW PRESIDENT
Tomorrow Governor Masoon Will Sail
for Washington to Render to Roose-
welt an Account of His Steward
ship.
Hearst News Service.

HAVANA, Jan. zo.-InlS AFTERNOON
the flag of Cuba Libre" floats once
more over'a free and independent ma.
tion-floats proudly from the palace
wherein President Jose Miguel Gomez
and Vice President Alfredo Zayas took
the oath of office and where Governor
Magoon, the beneficent dictator OF
Uncle Sam, relinquished the cares and
trials Of government. Today's cere-
monies, marked the end of the second
period of American Intervention in the
island, which began with the break
ing out of the revolution in August,
1906, against the government of the
late President Tomas Estrada Palma.
Tomorrow Magoon will sail for
Washington, to render an account of
his stewardship to President Roose-
welt. For nearly two years he has
ruled over the island as the head of
the provisional government terminated
today. That he has won thhe respect
and admiration of the Cubans was
abundantly manifested today, when he
shared largely in the ovation rendered
the new president and vice president
Elaborate ceremonies marked the in
auguration of President Gomez and
Vice President Zayas, which took
place shortly after noon today. Diplo-
mats from all nations filled the palace.
their gay uniforms adding to the pic
turesque scene. A parade rivalling
that to be held in Washington on
March A passed through the streets
and under a magnificent arch of tri-
umph. Scores of bands played, flags
floated from nearly every building Of
the capital and the populace gave vent
to its enthusiasm in every imaginable
manner. Several American warships,
including the new Maine, the success
sor of the vessel of that name which
went down in Havana harbor, are here
and fired national salute. The
United States troops and sailors now
remaining in the island did not partici- \
pate in today's ceremonies, as it was
thought that their presence might de-
tract from the pride of the people in
the hour of their resumption of home
rule.
Although the American soldiers will
not be finally withdrawn until the first
OF April. they will make themselves
as inconspicuous as possible, and the
khaki-clad Cuban rural guard and Ha-
vana police, dressed in gendarne fash
ion, will have the entire responsibility
for the maintenance Of order.
Today was chosen for the Inaugural
ton of the new president and vice
president and the establishment of
the Independent republic because it is
the birthday anniversary of Jose
Marti, the great liberator and patriot
of Cuba.
Following today's inaugural cere-
monies, the Cubans will begin the ac-
tual work of government and what
may be their final opportunity for
demonstrating their ability for self
rule. While few doubt the integrity
and ability of the new chief execu-
tive of the republic, his party is a
hodge-podge of many warning ele-
ments and internicine strife may bring
the government edifice topping about
his ears, despite his best efforts to
bolster it up. The Liberal party,
which elected Gomez, has an over
whelming majority in each house. Its
legislative program includes revision
OF the tariff, liberal educational pro-
Jects and the establishment of cock
lighting as national sport. The Lib
eral members favor also a national
lottery, although the caucus prost-
poned any formal recommendation ON
this subject.
The Conservative membership of
each house is only sufficient to cover
the constitutional requirement that
there De. minority party. There is
htus difference, however, in the prin-
ciples of the two parties.