Office of the Historian

File No. 811.304M28/61.

The American Minister to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]
American Legation,
Habana, February 26, 1912.

I am verbally informed that permission will be granted for the landing of an armed force.

The order of exercises will be announced in a decree, which the President is preparing, as follows:

1.
Night of March third, bodies to be removed from Cabaña to Habana City Hall, where they will lie in state.
2.
Officials, armed forces, and delegations who so request will stand guard.
3.
Route from City Hall to point of shipment to be lined with forces of Cuban Army and Navy, national police and municipal band. Remains to be escorted by armed force from American ships, who will be accorded proper honors.
4.
Cuban Navy will receive remains at Caballería wharf and deliver them on board North Carolina in time for ships to sail by four p.m.
5.
On departure of ships saluting station at Cabaña will fire salute of 21 minute-guns. As ships pass, all troops will form on parapets [Page 307] and stand at attention. Funeral march to be played from Morro during passage of ships, ceasing when they have passed beyond fortress, when flag will be hoisted to full staff.
6.
Ships of Cuban Navy will escort wreck to point where it is sunk. At moment of sinking, crew of flagship will render appropriate honors and military band will play American and Cuban national airs.
7.
Officials and delegations will attend ceremony aboard Cuban vessels assigned for purpose.
8.
Throughout the day all military posts and public buildings in Cuba will place flags at half mast. From dawn to moment of sinking, Cabaña will fire gun every half hour.
9.
Before leaving City Hall remains to be turned over by person designated by Cuban Government to person designated by American Government.

Beaupré.