The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-02
DAWN OF Auto 1NY
A New Regime EStabIi. n. q
For Cuba.
WI III S lately CEREMONY
SWEAR ON \ NEW BIBLE ALE
GLANCE TO SPAIN.
BLANcoS PROPER ADDRESS
He Asks Gods Blessing Upon Autoaomy's
Thorny Mission, and General Lee Gels
There With Two Hands, Peceiv-
ing thereby Special Honor .

Havana, Jan. 1.-Many people assem-
bled at the palace today to witness
the swearing in of Senor Montero, Mar
quis of Montero, Senior Francisco Zay-
as and 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 8 O'Clock a. IN. 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
Senior Galvez, president of the cabinet,
was the first sworn in, and then the
oath was administered to the others.
I& Marshal Blanco's inquiry: "Do you
swear fidelity to Spain, the Queen and
Spanish institutions?' all replied I'VE
do"
Marshal Blanco then addressed the
officials, saying:
"Consecrated by the oath just taken,
the autonomous government of Cuba is
now established in accordance with the
royal decree of November 27, 1897.
Your names and the places you occupy
in the political parties to which you be-
long are ample guarantees of the liberal
policy which the government expects
the new regime to adopt. The new gov
ernment should be inspired by high,
conciliatory, impartial and just motives.
1t is our duty to study the necessities of
the island, and especially economic
questions and the means to restore the
property destroyed. Peace and the wei
fare Of Cuba form the best propaganda
we can make in behalf of autonomy and
against the revolution, which, although
it was never justified, will nereaftes
have no pretext whatever to exist.
May God concede you the good for
tune which / sincerely wish may ac-
company you in fulfilling your noble and
thorny mission, so that we may together
restore to this privileged island, for
which / 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 institutions,
Long live Spain" Long live Cuba, al
ways Spanish"
After the conclusion of this ceremony
all present attended the celebration Of
mass in the chapel of the palace. All
present knelt down at the elevation of
the host, excepting the British and Ger
man consuls.
When bidding good bye to the consular
corps, Marshal Blanco took both of Gen.
Fitzhugh Lees hands. He shook them
warmly, saying in broken English, Il
thank you," a distinction which the Cap
tain 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.
Gable messages of congratulation were
exchanged during the day between Senior
Sagasta, Premier of Spain, and Marshal
Blanco.
The new secretaries have expressed
thanks to DR.. Congosto, the Secretary
General of Cuba, setting forth that it is
due to his constant activity that the
provisional government was established
to-day. For two months, DR.. Congosto
who was formerly Spanish consul at
Philadelphia, has hardly slept two hours
a day, which has greatly surprised ev-
erybody here, as most of the officials
work scarcely three or four hours daily
For this constant activity and the final
success it has met with, DIR. Congosto
has been most cordially congratulated
by all concerned.
The first resolution adopted by the
new cabinet was to send a cable message
to the Queen regent of Spain, offering
their respects and pledging loyalty tt
the crown.
All is quiet here.