Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-05-06
AUTONOMOUS CUBA.
First Congress OF the Island Opened With
Ceremony by BlancO.

SeTcIhOny ESlanCO.
Washington. May Ga delayed dis
patch from Havana dated May ard
copyrighted by the Associated Press
gives in detail the ceremonies at the
opening Of the first congress of Cuba
under the autonomous government, by
General Blanco. There was a process
sion, an imposing military display, and
the streets were decorated with flags
and banners. At . p. m. a salute of
fifteen guns from the Cabanas battery
announced the departure of the captain
general from the palace. At the hall of
congress the members of the auton-
omous government We're awaiting the
captain general. and on his arrival there
another salute Of fifteen guns was fired
from the fortress. Among those pres
ent were the officers of the British and
French cruisers Talbot and Fulton.
Blanco Attacks the United states.
The captain general was received
with the greatest respect when he en-
tered the hall, which was finely decor
ated. After taking his position the cap
tain general said in substance: Il take
great pleasure in seeing the representa-
tives of this island united here for the
first time. In spite of the fact that the
United States has tried to impede the
re-establishment of peace, Spain has
fulfilled her promises of introducing re-
forms in Cuba. and was approaching a
reconciliation 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 saluting today the first Cuban
parliament instead of threatening the
lives Of its members. and proving itself
so false to their policy, ambitions and
plans.
Sneers at Uncle Sans Generosity.
Spain has given the island all she is
authorized to do, for the purpose of re-
storing peace, and without any cOndi-
tfons 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 abolished
in order to help the reconcentrados. the
United States. We admitted free of du-
ties the help sent from America-sent
for the purpose of increasing the exist
ing ciscorCs. In short. nothing has been
left undone which might satisfy the as
pirations of the people, Incompatible
with the national honor.
Must Unite in Spain's Defense.
"On the petition Of his holiness, the
pope, and the European powers. hostili-
ties Were suspended in Crder to treat
for peace; when, ignoring all this. the
president Of the United States declared
that the autonomous form Cf govern
ment had turned out to be a failure
when parliament had not even been as
sembled-and the PATRIOTS of the United
States were excited by the declaration
that Spaniards caused the Maine catas-
trophe. forgetting the generous hospi-
tality 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 reconciliation will be all the more
sacred in view Of the actual circum-
stances in the case. The defenders Of
Spain and of the autonomy of Cuba all
have Spanish blood in their veins or
We're born on this SOIL
Sworn to Always Defend SPAIN
When he had finished reading his
message Captain General Blanco
shouted "Vive Espana," which cheer
was responded to with considerable en-
thusiasm. The captain general then
declared the Cuban congress open and
administered the oath to the deputies.
He asked all of them if they swore to
always defend Spain, and was answered
with a spontaneous Yes" The men,
bers of the Cuban congress, previous to
the formal opening of that body, held a
meeting for the purpose of organfza-
tion. DR.. Jose Cueto presided. Thirty
seven deputies, of whom ten are Con-
servatives, presented to the secretary
of justice, Senor GOWN, their certificates
of election.