The Indianapolis journal., 1898-05-06
We Ought to be SaIuting the First Cue
ban Parliament Instead of Turning
Shotted Guns ON the Island.
AN ATTEMPT At DISPLAY
MILITARY PROCESSION THROUGH
THE STREETS OF HAVANA.
Women Throw Flowers at the March,
ers and Also Liberate DOves-Food
Growing Scarce and Dear.

Copyright, 1898, by tho Associated Press)
| HAVANA, May 4.-(Delayed In transmits
| sion.) with great ceremony the first Con-
| gress of Cuba, elected under the autono-
nous form of government, was formally
| opened to-day by Captain General Blanco.
| Every effort was made by the Spanish Of
| ficials to give briliancy to the occasion.
| There was a procession, an imposing mili-
tary display. the streets were decorated
with flags and banners, and the captaia
general made what was intended to be an
impressive speech, in the course of which
| he said that if the declarations of the
United States had been sincere its guns to-
day ought to be saluting the first Cuban
Parliament, instead of threatening the lives
of its members.
AT noon the volunteers were drawn
up on both sides of the street Lead
ing from the palace to the hall of Con-
gress, located in the building formerly
known as the Casino Espanol At 2 D. m. II
salute of fifteen guns from the Cabanas
battery announced the departure OF the
captain general from the palace. First
came detachment of cavalry and then In
landau were General Parade the military
commander of Havana; General Zoiano.
chief of staff, and two adjutants, after
which was a carriage in which were seated
Captain General Blanco, General Pando.
the commander of the Spanish forces in the
field; DR.. Congosto, secretary general of tha
government, and General Blancos adju-
tant. Following the captain generals cag1>
riage were many officers on horseback and
after them came detachment of the civil
guard. A force of cavalry wound up the
procession, which passed through Obispo
street to the Parque Isabella TO the
Dragons thoroughfare and to the hall OF
Congress.
AT the hall the members of the autono-
nous government were awaiting the captain
general, and on his arrival there at about
2:15 p m, another salute of fifteen guns
was fired from the fortress. Assembled in
the hail. in addition to members of Com
gress, the colonial secretaries, etc.. wers
Admiral Manterole, General Losado, the
civil and military authorities, the bishop,
the foreign consuls and the commanders
and officers of the British cruiser Talbot
and the French cruiser Fulton, both or.
whom are in port. Besides the officers ana
officials there were present many repre-
sentatiyes of the Spanish nobility the lead-
ing politicians of Havana and representa-
tives Of the local and 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 a platform, was g. big
presidential table, under canopy.
and right and left of it were
portraits of the little King of Spain
and his mother. the Queen Regent.
General Blanco took up a position
behind this table. At his right were the
members of the colonial government and
the secretary general 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 sa-
luted, military fashion, and read his mes-
sage to Congress.
In his opening address Captain General
Blanco said In substance: II take great
pleasure in seeing the representatives OF
this island united here for the lirst time.
In spite of the fact that the United States
has tried to impede the re-estahlishment of
peace Spain has fulfilled her promises of
introducing reforms In Cuba, and was ap~
preaching a reconciliation ana the ending Of
the war. But the United States. though
speaking Of peace and autonomy tried To
prevent US from bringing them about If
the declarations of the United States had
been sincere, its guns ought to be salutine
to-day the first Cuban Parliament instead
of threatening the lives of its members. and
proving herself so false to their policy, am
billions and plans. Spain has given the ISL
and all she is authorized to do for the pur-
pose of restoring peace. and without any
conditions.
"The autonomist form of government es-
tablished is as ample as that of the British
colonies and Spain has declared that ii 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 victims OF the fight sus-
tanned by the United States. We admitted
free of duties the help sent from America
sent for the purpose of increasing the ex-
isting discords In short. nothing has been
Jeff undone which might satisfy the aspira-
tions Of the people, II compatible with the
national honor.
"On the petition of his Holiness the Pope
and the European powers hostilities were
suspended in order to treat for peace, when.
ignoring all this. the President of the United
States declared that the autonomous form
of government had turned out to be a fasl-
ure. when Parliament had not even Assem-.
Sisd and the patriots of the United statea
We've excited by the declaration that Span
iards caused the Maine catastrophe, for
getting the generous hospitality 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 viii be all the mora
sacred IN view of the actual circumstances
in the ease. The defenders OF Spain and Of