New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-06
BLANCO'S SPEECH.

when all the participants In the ceremony
werc in their places the Captan-General saluted
In military fashion and rcid his message 10
Congress He said in substance:
taRe igtAat pleasure in seeing the Representa-
tivcs OF this island united here for the first
tim" In spite Of the fact that the United States
has tried to impede tle rc-csta hishincat OF
peace. spain has fulfilled her promises " intro
duc!nG reforms in cuba. and was approaching
reconciliation and tn" ending Of the wa But
the United StGtcs. though speaking ~ peace and
autonomy. tried - prevent Us from bringing
thcm about. II he declarations Of the United
States had been sincere. rs guns ought TO he
salutLS today tho first Cuban Parliament in
st"ad aor.aif 'atening the lives 81 it's members.
and prorhe herself so false TO thclr policy. am
billions and plans
Spain has given the Island nil she 10 authorized
to give for N" purpos" Of restoring peace. and
without any conditions The autCno mist form
~ government established Is ample that
of The British colonies. and Spain has declared
that II Will ne made more ample still II such
course Il judged To be necessary by the mem
bcrs ~ this Congress
Rigid customs and other rules were abolished
in order 10 h,lp the r~concenirados. the victims
Of the fight sustained BY the Unite States. We
admitted free 81 duties the help" sent from
America sent FOR the purpose of Increasing the
existing discords. IN short nothing has been left
undone which might satisfy the aspirations ~
the people. II compatible with the national honor
on the petition Of His Holiness the Pope and
the European Powers hostilites were Suspended
in order 10 treat foI peace. when. ignoring all
That the autonomist form Il government had
turned out n bc failure when Parliament had
not even assembled ard the patriots ~ the
United States were excited 10y the declaration
that Spaniards caused :hc Maine catastrophe
FORGETTING tho generous hospitality her sailors
received here. and now the United states IL TAX
ing up arms 70 impose It's domination
Before such an outrlg Span!ards and Cubans
must unit" 70 defend The Fathcrland and the
reconciliation viii be all the more sacred in
view OF the actual circumstances In the case
The defenders Of SPAN and Of the autonomy II
Cuba All have Spanish blood in their veins or
were born on this soil
All thu now laws must be put In force on JuIy
|. Preference should he given to the measures
providing for public security and maintenance
of tho national honor Of spain. the only country
which can protect the development ~ this colony
and bring about ihc formation OF n great co,In-
try united 10 the old Castilian Nation and at
the sam" time be the mediator in the New
World between both continents.
When he had finished reading his message.
General Rlanco shouted "Viva Espanaw which
cheer was responded 10 with considerable on
thuslasn The CAPTAIN General then declared
the Cuban Congress opened and administered
the oath to the Deputies He asked all Of them
II they svore 10 always defend Spain. and was
answered with . Spontaneous yes"
AND THEN THEY RODE BACK
At about 2:3o p. a third salute Of fifteen
guns from the fortress announced the departure
Of the Captain-Ge1eral from the Hall. Return
Ing 10 the palace. tho procession passed through
Ricla. San Ignacio. Tcnicltc. Roy Mercedes and
Obspo SITS. Finally fourth salute Of fifteen
guns announced that the Captain-General had
reached the palace IN his return from opening
Congress. and that the great ceremony of the
day was ended.
At the palace the Captain-General from n bal
cony reviewed the troops He was cheered all
from the balconies women threw flowers on the
procession and liberated doves as n sign of re-
joicing
The members OF the Cuban Congress- previous
to the formal opening Of that body. held meet