The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-02
CUBA'S NEW CABINET
FOUR MEMBERS OF THE PROVISION
AL GOVERNMENT SWORN IN.
Oath of ONCE Administered by BIancO
to Secretaries GaIvex, MOnerO,
Zayas and Rodriguez.

HAVANA, Jan. 1.-Many people assem-
bled at the palace to-day to witness the
swearing in of Senior Rafael Montero, Mar
quis of Montero Senior Francisco Zayas and
Senior Laureano Rodriguez as secretaries of
the provisional government. Marshal Blan-
co, tho captain general, escorted by num-
bcr of high Spanish officials. the consular
corps. army and navy officers, politicians,
etc., reached the throne room at O'Clock
a. m. A new Bible was open on table, and
on it the secretaries took the oath of fidelity
to the Queen, the monarchy and the Span
ish government, placing their right hands
on the Bible and kneeling as they repeated
the words required. Senior Galvez. presi-
dent Of the Cabinet, was first sworn in, and
then 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 do"
Marshal Blanco then addressed the Off
Gals. saying: "Consecrated by the oath
just taken, the autonomous government of
Cuba is now established, in accordance with
the royal decree of Nov. 27, 1897. Your
names and the places you occupy in the po-
litical parties to which you belong are am
pie 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 study the
necessities of the island, and especially
economic questions and the means to re-
store the prosperity destroyed. Peace and
the welfare of Cuba form the best propa-
ganda we can make in behalf OF autonomy
and ag9inst the revolution, which, although
it was never justified, will hereafter nave
no pretext whatever to exist.
May God concede you the good luck
which ! sincerely wish may accc mpany you
in fulfilling your noble and thorny mission,
so that we may together restore to TINS
privileged island, for which / have pro-
fessed great affection for years. the peace
and prosperity so much needed To conse-
let us cry out with Hearts full of loyalty
to our institutions, Long live Spain! Long
live Cuba, always SPANISH
After the conclusion of this ceremony 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
consmls. When bidding goodbye to the con-
sular corps Mr.. Blanco took both of General
Fitzhugh Lees hands. He shook them
warmly, saying in broken English: Il thank
YOU" a distinction which the captain gen.
eral did not bestow on any of the other
conSulS.
captain general RENTED the death penalty
imposed upon persons who had been con-
victed of common crimes. Cable messages
of congratulations We're exchanged during
the day between Senior Sagasta, premier of
Spain, and Marshal Blanco.
The new secretaries have expressed
thanks to DR.. Congosto, the secretary gen.
eral 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 former
~ Spanish consul at Philadelphia, has
hardly slept two hours day, which has
. greatly surprised everybody 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 DR.. Con-
gosto 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 re-
spects and pledging loyalty to the crown.
All is quiet here.
Captain General Blanco has granted a
who was undergoing Imprisonment upon
charges of a political nature. The pardon
was decreed in celebration of the establish
ment of the autonomous government and
on a petition made verbally by Senor A.
c. VaSQueZ, consul general of Mexico, after
the conclusion of to-day's ceremonies.
The official Gazette publishes an edict of
Captain General Blanco raising the en-
barge on the expectation of tobacco. The
decree provides for the payment of a duty
Of So in gold per one hundred kiloS on to-
bacco of all grades except Santiago de
Cuba, which continues to pay the ruling
tariff. All export duty on manufactured
tobacco, cigars and cigarettes is abolished
tobacco the duty remains at present,
plus the 10-cent-stamp duty per kilo. The
importation of tobacco from Puerto Rico
and other places is prohibited.