The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-01-04
THE CUBAN MINISTRY.
Take the Oath Of Office and the Aurouo-
mist Govsrnmsnt is Ioaugurased-
Blancs's Special Courtesy to Consul
General I.ee-

General Lee.
Havana, January MANY people as
sembled at the palace today to witness
the swearing in Of Senior Rafael Montero
marquis of Montero, Seror Francisco
Seayas aud Senor Laureano Rodriguez
as secretaries of the provisional govern
ment
Marshal Blanco, the captain general,
escorted by a number of high Spanish
officials. the consular corps, army and
navy officers, politicians, ETC., reached
the throne room at 9 o'clock a. m. A
new Bible was open on a table and upon
it the secretaries took the oath of fideli-
ty to the queen, the monarchy and the
Spanish government, placing their right
hands on the Bible and kneeling as they
repeated the words required.
Senor Galvez, president OF the cabinet,
was first sworn in and then the cath was
administered to the others. To Marshal
ty TO Spain. the queen and Spanish in
stitutions?' all replied: I'VE do"
Marshal Blanco then addressed the Off
cials, saying:
the autonomous government of Cuba is
now established in accordance with the
royal decree of November 27. 1897. Yfbb ffba
names and the places you occ4roSIone are
pmnIe onaranteas of .ne liberal policy
which the government expects lIe ort ne,
regime to adopt. The new goXelH-l-rSe.s glres1
InpartiaI and just motives. 1t is your
duty to study the necessities of the is
land, and especially economic question
and the means to restore the property
destroyed, the 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 for
tune which I sincerely wish may accom-
pany you in fulfilling your noble and
thorny mission. so that we may together
restore to this privileged island, for
which 1 have professed great affection
for years, the peace and prosperity so
much needed. To consecrate the carry
ing out our good wishes, let us cry
with hearts full of loyalty to our insti-
tutions: Long Live SPAIN Long Live
Cuba!' Always Spanish!
After the conclusion of this ceremony.
all cresent 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 Brit
ish and the German consuls.
When bidding goodbye to the consular
corps, Marshal Blanco took both of Cen
eral Fitzhugh Lees hands. He shook
them warmly, saying in broken English:
Il thank YOU" a distinction which the
captain general did not bestow upon any
of the other cOnSulS.
/ At the conclusion Of the ceremonies.
the captain general remitted the death
penalty imposed upon persons who had
been convicted of common crimes.
Cable messages of congratulation were
exchanged during the day between Senior
Sagasta, premier Of Spain, and Marshal
Blanco.
The new secretaries have expressed
thanks to DIR. COngosto. the secretary
general of Cuba, setting forth that 1t Is
dno to DrO-
visional government was established to-
day. For two months DR.. Congosto. who
was formally consul at Philadelphia. has
hardly slept two hours a day, which has
greatly surprised everybody here, al
most of the officials work scarcely three
or four hours daily. For this constant
I activity and the final success it has me
with, DR.. Congosto has been most cor
daily congratulated by all concerned.
The first resolution adopted by the new
| cabinet was tos send a cable message tt
| the queen regent of Spain, Offering thei
| respects and pledging loyalty to tn
| crown. All is quiet here.