Mr. Squiers to Mr. Hay.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

(Mr. Squiers reports that two batteries from Santiago and two from Habana will leave to-night on the transport Sumner. The Cuban Government has shown every mark of respect to the departing troops, and the President and members of the cabinet and other officers were present at the review at which the President made the following address to the troops:

“Under the emotions I now experience it is not an easy matter to express all that I should like to say on this momentous occasion, but the sincerity of the feelings which overflow my heart must supply the deficiency of my words.

“We are in the presence of the most extraordinary fact recorded in the annals of universal history.

“We are here to see off from our shores the remainder of the troops of the United States left in Cuba after helping us in securing our independence and the blessing of freedom.

“They could stay longer under any pretext whatever, they could [Page 239] serve to impose upon us an unjust demand, but the Government of the United States, identified with the liberal spirit and noble character of the American people, is willing, on the contrary, to prove the disinterest and sincerity of the aid rendered to us, showing, at the same time, that we have, as an independent people, the confidence of one of the most powerful nations on earth.

“The example set forth by the United States in withdrawing the troops from Cuban territory reflects upon them an everlasting glory and causes us to be proud of ourselves, since it means that nobody doubts our competence for self-government, our ability to maintain peace, to keep order and guarantee the property and personal rights of all the inhabitants of the island.

“This is a new service conferred upon us, which, with the others previously received, will bind forever with a strong tie of sincere gratitude the Cuban to the American people.

“Now, I beg you, Honorable Minister Squiers, to be the interpreter of these feelings to the Government and people of the United States, and I beg all present to bid godspeed to the officers and soldiers now leaving us, and to express our wishes for the increasing prosperity and welfare of the American nation.”)