The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-06
DlANCO OPENS CONGRESS
AUTONONIsT GOVERNMENT STARTS
IT'S BRIEF CAREER.
In His Opening speech the Captain
General DwelIs ut Length Upon
the Perndfous Conduct Of the Unit
ed states In Eomentinx Rebellion.

Copyright, Isas. by the Associated Press.
HAVANA. May delayed in transmits
sion).-wita great ceremony the opening
of the first congress under the autonomous
government was formally accomplished
today by Gen. Blanco. Every effort was
made by the Spanish officials to give bril-
iiancy TO the occasion. There was a pro-
cession. an imposing military display. the
streets were decorated with flags and ban
ners and the capta-n-general made what
was intended to be an impressive speech,
in the course CT which he said that II the
declarations of the United States had been
sincere. It's guns today ought to. be saiut-
ing the first Cuban parliament, instead of
threatening the lives ef its members.
The volunteers at 1880 p. m. were drawn
up on both sides OF the streets leading
from the palace to the hall Of congress,
located in the building formerly known
as the Casino Espanol. From the time the
autonomist government was established
the Casino was devoted to It's purpose.
At p. m. a salute OF fifteen guns from
parture of the captain-generaI from the
palace. First came detachment of cav
airy and then in landau were Gen. Par
RADIO. the military commander Of Havana:
Gen. Solano. chief of staffs and two adju-
tants. after which was q carriage in
Gen. Pando, the commander of the Span
ish forces in the field DIR. Congosto sec
retary-generaI OF the government, and
Gen. Blancos adjutant. Following the
captain-generals carriage were many Of
ficers on horseback. and after then. came
detachment of the civil guard. A force
of cavalry wound up the procession. which
passed through Obispo street to the Parque
Isabella Catolica, TO the Dragones thor
oughfare and TO the hall of congress.
at the hall the members OF the autono-
nous government were awaiting the cap
tain-general, and on his arrival there at
2:l5 p. m. another salute of fifteen guns
was fired from tn. fortress. Assembled
in the hall, in addition TO the members
OF congress, the colonial secretaries, etc,
civil and military authorities, the bishops,
the foreign eonsuls and the commanders
and the officers OF the British cruiser Tai
bot and the French cruiser Fulton. both
OF which are in port.
Besides the officers ana officials there
were present many representatives of the
Spanish nobility. the leading politicians of
Havana and the representatives of the
local and some of the foreign newspapers.
There were also many ladies' present.
The captain general was received with
the greatest respect as he entered the
hall. which was finely decorated
In the center OF the hall on a platform
was A big presidential table, under a cam
opy, and right and left of 1t We're portraits
Of the little king of Spain and his mother.
the queen regent
Gen. Blanco took up a position behind
this table. AT his right were the members
of the colonial government, and the Sec
rotary general of Cuba. On his left stood
Parade, Pando and Solano When all
participants in the ceremony were In their
tary fashion and FAD his message to
congress.
He said in substance:
Il take great pleasure in seeing The rep-
resentatives of this island united here for
the trst time. In spite of the fact that the
United states has tried TO impede the re-
establishment or peace, Spain has fuirlIed
her promise of introducing reforms In Cuba
and was approaching reconciliation and
the ending of the war. But the United
states, though speaking OF peace and au-
tonomy. has tried 10 prevent us from
bringing them about
If the declaration Of the United States
had been sincere, its guns ought - be sa-
l'it:ng today the first Cuban parliament
instead OF threatening the lives Of its MEM
hers and proving herself so false TO her
policy. ambitions and plans. Spain has
given the island all she is authorized to
do, for the purpose OF restoring peace and
without any conditions. The au,onorist
form OF government established is as am
pie as that OF the British colonies and
Spain has declared that it will he made
more ample still Il such a course is 4uSr-
ed TO be necessary by the members of this
congress.
Rigid customs ans: other rules were
abolished IN order 10 help the REC once,,tra
dos. the victims of the fight sustained hv
the United States We admitted free ~
duties the help sent from America sent
for the purpose OF increasing the exisfine,
diseords. II short. nothing has been lefr
undone which might satisfy the aspirations
OF the people. If compatible with the ma
tional honor.
On the petition Of his haliucss the none
and The European powers. hosttlittes wara
suspended In order 20 treat for r,asna
when. ignoring all this the president Of the
United States declared that the antonogr-
Gus government had turned cut 10 hea a
failure. when parliament had not even as
sembled and the patriots OF the United
States were excited by the declaration
that Spanards caused the Maine esfas
trophe, forgetting the generous hospitality
her sailors received here. And now the
United States is taking up arms TO irnpose
its domination. Before sscn an outrage
Spaniards and Cunans must unite 10 de-
fef1d the fathsrlana and the reconciliation
will be all the more sacred in view Of ms /.
actuai circumstances Ia tire case The
defenders of Spain ard pf the autonomy
Of Cuba all have Spanish blood in their
veins or were born og this SOIL
Continuing the captain general said.