When the news was brought to him, he showed the true nobility of his character.

Calling his soldiers together, he bade them harbor no thoughts of revenge for the act of treachery which had cost them so brave a leader, but to follow the example of those who had died for their country, and fight until death or success was their portion.

It is said that Gomez, as a token of respect for the dead hero Maceo, ordered his army to keep “silence” for ten days; which means that nearly all of the usual noises in camp were suppressed, and stilled in mourning.

While Gomez is showing the true qualities of a soldier, Weyler continues the atrocious method of warfare that more closely resembles that of the bloodthirsty red Indian, than of a civilized Christian general.

He is openly in favor of ending the rebellion by killing every man, woman, and child who is in favor of Cuban liberty.  This method is called “Extermination.”

The Marquis de Apezteguia has travelled all the way to Madrid, to tell the Prime Minister of Spain, Senor Canovas, the truth about Weyler, and to beg that he be recalled.

He has told the Prime Minister how Weyler has been robbing the people, and how he has made millions of dollars out of the Cuban war; that he is a disgrace to Spain, and to the Spanish name, and that there is no chance of the Cubans accepting terms from Spain while he is in command.

Weyler’s treatment of the Cuban women is growing still more cruel.

Several Cuban ladies of rank were seized by his secret police, and without being told what they were arrested for, were taken to prison, and put in a cell with the lowest female prisoners.

After being kept in jail for twenty days, they were forced to march, with all the criminals, through the public streets.  They had to pass between files of soldiers, the mob hooting and howling at them.

They were then put in box-cars, which are cars without seats, like those we use for baggage.  They travelled thus for more than twelve hours, packed closely together with criminals of every kind, and forced to stand up all the way.

On arriving at Havana, they were first thrust into jail with the men.

Thinking that this was perhaps a little too severe, they were removed to the House of Refuge.  This proved to be a wretched, unclean place, far worse than the jail.

The correspondents for the United States papers happened to hear of the arrival of these unfortunates, and went at once to the House of Refuge to see them.

Imagine their horror when they found that one of these ladies was a countrywoman of their own, an American citizen.

Word was sent at once to Consul-General Fitzhugh Lee, and then the correspondents clubbed together, and bought some beds and small comforts, and sent them to the ladies.

General Lee at once tried to help the American lady, Mrs. Rodriguez, and finally got permission for her release.