Vol. 61

After four centuries or misrule in Free Cuba Cuba, Spain relinquished her claim to sovereignty in the island on New Year's Day. There was only as much ceremony as the necessities of the case required. CaptainGeneral Castellanos, at noon, in the hall of the Palace at Havana, in the names of the King and the Queen Regent, formally delivered possession of Cuba to General Wade as the head of the American Evacuation Commission under the terms of the protocol. General Wade in turn delivered the control of the island to General Brooke, lately appointed by the President to become Military Governor of the Division of Cuba. The flag of Spain was lowered from the Palace, Morro Castle, the Cabañas Fortress, and the public build ings, and instantly replaced by the Stars and Stripes. General Castellanos displayed sin cere and natural emotion. All the courtesies were scrupulously observed, and no unpleasant incident marred the solemn transfer of sovereignty. On the contrary, an informal incident is to be recorded, pleasant in itself and of hopeful meaning: Three Cuban Generals were present, and on being presented to them at his own request General Castellano said, "I am sorry, gentlemen, that we are enemies, being of the same blood;" General Menocal responded, "We fought only for Cuba, and now that she is free, we are no longer enemies." There was no disturbance in Havana; the crowds in the streets were reasonably orderly although intensely enthusiastic; everywhere floated the flags of Cuba and the United States. General Ludlow's reply to the request of a Patriotic Committee to allow a six days' celebration of the great event was a sensible, friendly exposition of the inexpediency of such a celebration at this time. It was accepted in good part by the Cubans. Later, when order is absolutely secured, General Ludlow declares, the American authorities will be glad to further and participate in such a celebration. General Brooke has

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issued a proclamation assuring protection to the persons and property of all the inhabitants, and encouraging the resumption of agriculture, traffic, and commerce. The organization of the Havana police and sanitary forces is being pushed rapidly forward, and the military organization is being perfected in detail. The Cuban insurgent delegates to the United States have issued an appeal to the natives urging independence, not annexation, affirming that the separationist party in Cuba constitutes the vast majority of its citizens, and that the Cubans made war to secure this separation and subsequent independence. They resent the charge that the Cuban people are indolent and unable to govern themselves. Neither their resentment at this charge nor their stigmatizing as traitors those who are not in favor of independence carries much weight. The question of independence is one to be settled by the substantial citizens of Cuba after peace is fully restored, law and order are established, and the freedom of every man to express himself on the question of the island's future is absolutely secured.

Insurgents at Iloilo

The occupation of the city of Iloilo on the isl and of Panay by insurgent troops creates a situation requiring wise and careful management rather than one of critical seriousness. No doubt the Spanish officers desired to embarrass the United States by their sudden withdrawal of the Spanish forces from Iloilo to Mindanao when there were no American soldiers near enough to prevent the Filipinos from taking possession. Technically (the Philippines still being under the Spanish flag) the Spanish commandant had a right to act as he did, and we cannot scrutinize too closely the excuse of military necessity. The real object was to precipitate hostilities between the insurgents and Americans, if pos