The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-05-06
FIRST ounAN ooNGnE Ess.
Every Effort Made to Make the Occasi,
 Rr{IItont

Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press) Havana, May 4.--Delayed in trans- ssion).-With great ceremony, the first congress of Cuba elected under the autonomous form of government, was formally opened to-day by Captain General Blanco. Every effort was made by the Spanish officials to give brilliancy to the occasion. There was a procession, an imposing military dis play, the streets were decorated with flags and banners and the captain gen. eral made what was intended to be an impressive speech. He said, in sub stance:
 q take great pleasure in seeing the representatives of this island united here for the first time. In spite of the fact that the United States has tried to impede the re-establishment of peace, Spain has fulfilled her promise of in- troducing reforms in Cuba and was ap- preaching reconciliation and the end- ing of the war. But the United States, though speaking of peace, and auton- omy, tried to prevent us from bringing them about.
 "If the declarations of the United States had been sincere, it's guns ought to be saluting to-day the first Cuban parliament, instead of threatening the lives of it's members, and proving her self so fales to their policy, ambitions and plans.
 Spain has given the island all she is authorized to give for the purpose of restoring peace, and without any con- ditions. The autonomist form of gov ernment established is as ample as that of British colonies, and Spain has de- clared that it will be made more ample still, if such course is judged to be necessary by the members of this con- gross.
 ''Rigid customs and other rules were abolished in order to help the recon centrados, the victims of the fight sus- tained by the United States. We ad- mitted free of duties the help sent from American-sent for the purpose of increasing the existing discords. In short, nothing has been left undone which might satisfy the aspiration of LHS pGOple, II CuHlpdllDle Wllu lIlG Ld- tional honor.
 "On the petition of his holiness, the pope. and the European powers, hos til;ties were suspended in order to treat for peace; when ignoring all this, the president of the United States declared that the autonomous form of govern ment had turned out to be a failure, when parliament had not even assem- bled and the patriotics of the United States were excited by the declaration that Spaniards caused the Maine catas- trophe, forgetting the generous hospi- tality her sailors received here, and now the United States is taking up arms to impose it's domination.
 Before such an outrage Spaniards and Cubans must unite to defend the fatherland, and the reconciliation all the more sacred in view of the actual circumstances in the case. The de- lenders of Spain and of the autonomy of Cuba all have Spanish blood in their veins, or were born on this oil.''
 Continuing the captain general re- marks:
 "All the new laws must be put in force by July i. Preference should be given to the measures providing for 2 public security and the maintenance of the national honor of Spain, the only country which can protect the develop ment of this colony, and bring about the formation of great country united to the old Castilian nation, and at the same time be the mediator in the new world between both continents"
 When he had finished reading his message Captain General Blanco shout ed Viva Espana,' which cheer was re- sponded to with considerable enthu- siasm.
 The captain general then declared the Cuban congress open and adminis- tered the oath to the deputies. He asked all of them if they swore to al ways defend Spain, and was answered with a spontaneous "Yes."
 At about 2:30 D. m. 8 third salute of fifteen guns from the fortress an- nounced the departure of the captain general from the hall Returning to the palace, the procession passed through Ricla, San Ignacio, Teniente, Key, Mercedes and Obispo streets. Finally, a fourth salute of fifteen guns announced that the captain general
 
 from the opening of the congress and that the great ceremony Of the day was ended.
 At the palace the captain general from balcony witnessed a march past of the troops. The captain general was cheered all the way to and from the hall of congress, and from the balconies ladies threw flowers upon the process sion and liberated doves as sign of rejoicing.
 The members of the Cuban congress, previous to the formal opening of that body, held a meeting for the purpose of organizing. Dr. Jose del Cueto pre- sided. Thirty deputies, of whom ten are conservatives, prsented to the secretary of justice, Senor Covin, their certificates of election.
 SHOT A PET DOG.
 About o'clock yesterday small pet dog belonging to Mrs Peckham of IDS