Evening star., 1896-01-28


Although it was supposedly a settled fact
five days ago that Gen. Weyler would be
Gen. Campos' successor. conflicting reports
are still received from Madrid, and, as far
as the outsider can or learp, the name of
the permanent captain general has not been
decided upon by the home government.
But the effect of the mere announcement
of Weyler's appointment was truly wonder
full. Many people of all classes, from the
best society down to the laboring poor, be-
gan to make preparations for leaving the
island, and during the past three or four
days outgoing steamers for New York, Key
West, Tampa and other American ports, as
well as for Spain, have been crowded with
passengers. Local newspaper men, too
those who have been employed on papers
whose policies favored the revolution-have
been foremost among those who secured
passports and steamship tickets.
Hundreds of others have gone to 1.-The
woods and many more are in readiness to
leave as soon as they are certain Weyler
has left Spain for Cuba. Even Pando, whose
name was mentioned as the coming captain
general of the island. is not possessed of the
terror for Cubans that Weyler is.
The latter announces his program from
Madrid, and, If he carries it out, the end
will be appalling to contemplate. He says,
among other things, that he will deal only
with Cubans and Spaniards. In other words
| that there will be no neutrals. Every man
| in the island must be either for or against
| him. Therefore are hundreds taking him
| ingly.
| Weyler gained this unenviable (or enyi-
| able, according to the view taken) reputa-
| ton III the last war. He was only briga-
| dier general then but he made a record
| that twenty years have by no means effaced
The Spaniards regard him as talented, cum
| ming and courageous; the Cubans think him
/ a bloodthirsty villain.
He Is Irish by descent, his ancestors being
| among those families who left Ireland with
| Sarsheld, after the famous treaty of Linn
| erick. The Duke of Tetuan Spanish minis
| ter of foreign affairs, is also a descendant
of Irish exiles. who settled in Spain at the
same period.
| Talk of n Duel
| Upon the departure of Gen. Campos 1t was
| said in Havana that a duel between the old
commander and Premier Canovas would
take place upon the arrival of the former in
Spain. Canovas has been a secret enemy of
| Campos for years, and it is stated on the
best authority here that he cabled Campos
| that 1t was the queens desire that he resign
and turn over the government to Marin.
Campos knew, or at least believed the
| prime minister was acting without her mai
estys authority, and he forthwith cabled
| Canovas message, denouncing him as a
liar and traitor. Still, he was happy of the
| opportunity to leave Cuba, and he at once
obeyed the order. An hour later he re-
ceived from Queen Maria Cristina a tele-
| gram expressing implicit confidence in him
and assuring him Of her tenderest personal
| regard.
There are many here who believe an en-
| counter between the two men inevitable
upon the landing Of Campos at Madrid, and
they recall a former unpleasantness in the
Spanish senate upon the close Of the last
| war. In public debate Canovas demanded
statement from Campos of the military
expenditures. The latter arose and told the
| present prime minister that he would give
| him. an explanation at the point of the
sword. A duel was prevented by friends
but the breach has widened yearly.
Sentiment Of Americans.
Americans here who express an opinion
at all with reference to the successor ot
Campos favor Gen. Pando. He would con-
duct the most vigorous style of campaign
for few months, and, If unable to crusf
the rebellion in that time, would return tt
Spain and urge that deal for the island
| be made with the United States. He /.
quite American in his ideas, and does no
hesitate to express belief that Cuba VII