Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-06
AuTONOMIsr CONGRESS OF CUBA IS
IN SESSION.
IMPOSING MILITARY DISPLAY
EVERY EFFORT MADE TO GIVE
BRII.LIANCY TO OCCASION.
Blanco Says United states Guns
ourbt 10 he Saiuting the First
Cuban Parliament Instead
of Threatening Its
Members Lives.

sion) With great ceremony the hrst ceh-
cress of Cuba. elected under the autoho-
nous form of government. was formally
opened to-day by Captain General Bianco.
Every effort was made by the Spanish OIL
ficials to give briliancy to the occasion.
There was procession. an imposing NIL
itary display. The streets were decorated
with flags and banners. and the captain
general made what was intended TO DE an
impressive speech. in the course OF whicn
he said that If the declarations OF the
United States had been sincere. its guns
to-day ought to be saluting the first Gu
ban parliament instead of threatening the
lives of 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
Casino Espanol. From the time the auton-
omst government was established. the
casino was devoted to its purposes.
At p. M, salute of fifteen guns from
the Cabanas battery announced the de-
parture of the captain general from the
palace First came a detachment of cav
airy and then in a landau, were General
PARADE. the military commander of Ha-
vana: General Solano. chief of staff. and
two adjutants after which was carriage
in which were seated Captain General
Blanco General Pando, the commander Of
the Spanish forces in the field; DIR. Con-
gosto. secretary general of the govern
ment, and General Blanco's adjutant. Fol-
lowing the captain generals carriage were
many officers on horseback. and after them
came a detachment of the civil guard.
force of cavalry wound up the procession.
which passed through Chispo street, to the
Parque Isabella Catolica, to the Dragones
thoroughfare. and to the hall of congress.
At the hall the members of the autono-
mist 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 the fortress.
Assembled in the hall in addition to the
members of congress. the colonial secre-
taries, ETC.. were Admiral Nantolo. Cen
eral Cosado, the civil and military author
tiles, the bishop. the foreign consuls and
the commanders and officers of the Brit
ish cruiser Talbot and the French cruiser
Fulton. both of which are in port. Besides
the officers and officials there were present
many representatives of the Spanish nobil-
ity. the leading politicians of Havana and
representatives of the local and Of some
of the foreign newspapers. There were
also many ladies present.
The captain general was received with
the greatest respect when he entered the
hall. which was finely decorated. In the
center of the hall. on platform. was a
big presidential table, under a canopy. and
to the right and left of :, were portraits
of the little king of Spain and his mother.
the queen regent.
General Blanco took up a position be-
hind this table. At his right. were the
members of the colonial government and
the secretary of Cuba. On his left stood
Generals Parade, Pando and Solano.
When all the participants in the ceremony
were in their places. the captain general
saluted. military fashion. and read his mes
sage to congress. He said in substance:
II take great pleasure in seeing the rep
resentatives of this island united here for
the first time. In spite of the fact that the
United States has tried to impede the re-
esta blishment of peace. Spain has fulfilled
her promises of introducing reforms in
Cuba. and was approaching a reconcilia-
ton and the ending Of the war. But the
United States. though speaking of peace
and autonomy, has tried TO prevent US
from bringing them about.
"If the declaration OF the United States
had been sincere. its guns ought to be sa-
luting to-day the first Cuban parliament
instead of threatening the lives of its MEM
bers and proving herself so false to their
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 autonomist
form of government established is as am
pie as that Of the British colonies, and
Spain has declared that it will be made
more ample still, if such course is judged
to be necessary by the members of this
congress.
Rigid customs and other rules were abol-
| ished in order to help the recoIcentrados,
the victims of the fight sustained by the
United States. We admitted free of 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 of the
people, if compatible with the national
| honor.
'On the petition OF his holiness. the pope,
and the European powers, hostinties were
suspended in order to treat for peace, when,
| ignoring all this. the president of the
| United States declared that the autono-
nous form Of government had turned out
| to be a failure, when parliament had not
even assembled. and the patriots of the
United States were excited by the declar-
alton that Spaniards had caused the Maine
catastrophe. forgetting the generous hos
pitality her sailors received here And now
the United States is taking up arms to
impose its domination. Before such an
outrage Spaniards and Cubans must unite
to defend the fatherland, and the recon-
| ciliation will be all the more sacred in
| view or the actual circumstances in the
| case The defenders of Spain and of the
autonomy of Cuba all have Spanish blood
In their veins or were born on this soil. u
continuing, the captain general said:
| All the new laws must be put in force
on July j. Preference should be given n
the measures providing for public security
ana the maintenance of the national honor
OF Spain. the only country which can pro.
tect the development Of this COLONY and
bring about the formation of a great coun.
try, united to the old Castilian nation, anG
at the same time be the mediator, in the
new world, between both continents
When he had finished reading his meg
sage, Captain General Banco shouted
"Nive Espana,' which cheer was respond
ed TO with considerable enthusiasm. Th,
captain general then declared the Cuba,
congress open and administered the oatl
TO the deputies. He asked all of them 4
they swore always to defend Spain, ant
was answered with a spontaneous yes"
AT about 80 p. m. a third salute of fif
teen guns from the fortress announced tn,
departure of the captain general from th
hall. while a fourth salute of fifteen gun
announced his return to the palace.
At the palace, the captain general, from
a balcony, witnessed a march past of tn
troops.
The captain general was cheered all tn
way to and from the han of congress and
: from the balconies. ladies threw flower
| | upon the procession and liberated doves a