Sir: In execution of the stipulations in the Treaty of Peace, of what has been agreed by the military Commissions of Evacuation, and the orders of my King, from this moment, today the first of January of 1899 at 12 noon, the sovereignty of Spain over the Island of Cuba ceases, and that of the United States begins. (Fragment of the speech of General Jiménez Castellanos in the act of transfer of powers to General Brooke.)