In spite of Weyler’s boasts when he assumed command of the Spanish forces in Cuba that he would quickly put down the insurrection, his failure was as complete as that of General Campos had been, and his recall was finally demanded.  In his letter of protest to the home government he said: 

“If the functions with which the government had entrusted me had been merely those of Governor General of Cuba, I should have hastened to resign.  But the twofold character of my mission and my duty as commander-in-chief in the face of the enemy prevent my tendering a resignation.

“Nevertheless, although I can rely upon the absolute, unconditional support of the autonomist and constitutional parties, as well as upon public opinion, this would be insufficient without the confidence of the government, now more than ever necessary to me after the censure of which I have been made the object by the members and journals of the Liberal party and by public opinion in the United States, which latter is largely influenced by the former.  This confidence would be necessary to enable me to put an end to the war, which has already been virtually concluded from our lines at Jucaro to Cape Antonio.”

Senor Sagasta replied:  “I thank you for your explanation and value your frankness, I wish to assure you that the government recognizes your services and values them as they deserve, but it thinks a change of policy, In order to succeed, requires that the authorities should be at one with the ministry.”

CHAPTER XXIV.

Cuba under the scourge.

The Civil Guards and Their Crimes—­Horrible Murder of Eight Innocent Men—­A Man After Weyler’s Own Heart—­How the Spanish Gain “Victories”—­Life, Liberty and Property Sacrificed—­The War Not a Race War—­Resistance to the Bitter End.

Cuba has been under martial law for over fifty years, and its enforcement by the Civil guards (as the officers appointed by the Spanish government are called) has been responsible for innumerable outrages against the lives and property of the inhabitants.  These officials have been guilty of every crime in the calendar, but protected by their positions they have escaped legal punishment, and it has only been on occasions when, driven to desperation, the people have acted as judges and executioners by taking the law into their own hands that any redress has been possible.

If for any reason these guards wish to persecute a man, the fact that he is a non-combatant is no protection to him, nor to his family.  They have been the means of adding to the ranks of the insurrectionists, for frequently the man who has seen his relatives and friends shot before his eyes, to satisfy some personal spite, or in order that some officer may get credit for a battle, has left his fields and gone to strike a manly blow for his country and his home.

The story of eight peaceable white men, who were shot without trial, at Campo Florida, near Havana, will serve as an example of the work of these fiends.