The record-union., 1898-01-02
Autonomy Has Been Established in
the Island.
President Of the Council and Cabinet Sec
retaries Take the Oath Of Office.
The Ceremonies Take Place at the
!. Palace at Havana, and Were
Witnessed by a Large Assem-
blage-General Blanco Bestows
Distinction ON Consul-General
Lee.

HAVANA, Jan. MANY people as
Eembled at the palace to-day TO witness
the swearing in of Senor Rafael Mon
Hero, Marquis of Montero; Senor Fran
cisco Zayas and Senior Laureano Rodri-
guez, as Secretaries of the provisional
Government.
Marshal Blanco, the Captain-G General,
escorted by number Of his Spanish
officials, Consular corps, army and navy
officers, politicians, ETC., reached the
throne room at 9 o'clock a. m A new
Bible was open on the table, and upon
it the Secretaries took the oath OF
fidelity to the Queen, the monarchy and
the Spanish Government, placing their
right hand on the Bible and kneeling as
they repeated the words required.
Senior Galvez, President of the Cabi-
net, was first sworn in, and the oath
was administered to the others. To
Marshal Blanco's inquiry: DO you
swear fidelity to Spain, the Queen, and
Spanish institutionS?" all replied, I'VE
CO."
Marshal Blanco then addressed the
officials, saying: 'Consecrated by the
oath just taken, the autonomous Gov
ernment of Cuba is now established in
accordance with the royal decree of
November %, 1897. Your names and
the places you occupy in the political
parties to which you belong are ample
guarantees of the liberal policy which
the Government expects the new regime
to adopt.
THE new Government should be in
spired by high, conciliatory, impartial
and just motives. 1t is your duty to
- Al. n
especially economic questions and the
means to restore the property destroy
ed. Peace and the welfare of Cuba
form the best propaganda we can make
in behalf of autonomy, and against the
revolution, which, although it was never
justified, will hereafter have no pretext
whatever to exist. May God concede
you the good luck which l sincerely
wish may accompany you in fulfilling
your noble and thorny mission, so that
we may together restore to this privi-
legged island for which / have professed
great affection, for yours. the peace and
prosperity so much needed. To conse-
crate the carrying out of our good
wishes, let US cry with hearts full OF
loyalty to our institutions, Long live
Spain,' Long live Cuba, always Span
ishi'''
After the conclusion of this ceremo-
ny all present attended the celebration
of mass by the Bishop in the chapel of
the palace. All present knelt down at
the elevation of the host, excepting the
British and German Consuls-
When bidding goodby to the Consular
corps, General Blanco took both of Gen
eral Fitzhugh Lees hands. He shook
them warmly, saying in broken English,
"I thank you,'' distinction which the
Captain General did not bestow on any
OF the other Consuls.
At the conclusion OF the ceremonies
the Captain-General RENTED the death
penalty imposed upon persons who had
been convicted of common crimes.
cable messages Of congratula tions
We're exchanged during the day between
Senor Sagasta, Premier of Spain, and
Marshal Blanco.
The new Secretaries have expressed
thanks TO DR.. Congosto, the Secretary
General of Cuba, setting forth that II
IS due TO his constant activity that the
provisional Government was establish
ed to-day. For two months DIR. Con-
gosto, who was formerly Spanish Con-
sui at Philadelphia, has hardly slept
two hours a day, which has greatly
the officials work scarcely more than
three hours daily. For this constant
activity, and the final success it has
met with, DR.. Congosto has been most
cordially congratulated by all con-
cerned.
The first resolution adopted by the
new Cabinet was to send cable mes
sage to the Queen Regent of Spain Of
fering their respect, and pledging their
loyalty to the crown.
All is quiet here.
At 9 O'Clock last night a torpedo was
exploded in the bay near the floating
dock, but no damage was done.
Captain-General Blanco has granted
pardon TO S r. Hoyos. a Mexican
citizen. who was undergoing imprison-
,nent on a charge of a political nature.
The pardon was decreed in celebration
of the establishment OF the autonomous
Government and on petition made YER
balIy by Senior Vasquez, Consul-Gener-
al of Mexico, after the conclusion OF
to-day's ceremonies.
GENERAL RUIZ RIVERA
BARCELONA, Jan. 1.-General Ruiz
Rivera. the insurgent leader, who was
captured badly wounded in the Prov
ince of Pinar del Rio by the Spanish
troops under General Velasco on March
%. 1897. and who was condemned 70
death. and his sentence modified, has
arrived here, and was conducted on
foot and in chains TO Montjuich fort
ress. between lines of soldiers and
mounted gendarrns. General Rivera
was calm, but he protested against be-
ing chained. No one was allowed to
speak to him. There was a big crowd
Of people present in the vicinity, Dus
there were no manifestations.
craDN TN rrJr EAST