San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-10-30
HE WILL TURN OVER THE COM
MAND ONLY WHEN GEN.
BLANC0 RETURNS.
He Says Spain Can Only Finish The
Work As He Has Carried 1t
Quit Is Almost Complete
And Cuba Practically
Conquered.

Havana, Oct. 30.-Capt. Gen. Weyler,
just prior to his embarkation for Spain
addressed the assembled crowd gath
cred in his honor. In the course of
his acknowledgements of their SYM
pathetic reference to his approaching
withdrawal, he said that he fully I'M
derstood that their praise was for his
policy and not for himself. He de-
clared that he had always done his
duty in accordance with his sense of
patriotism, and that he would leave
Cuba with a serene conscience" He
had never cared, he said, for the criti-
cism of the sympathizers of the rebel
lion, because he had always felt assur-
ed of the . real wisdom and kindness
of his policy. " He said that his tenn
pOrary prohibition in connection with
the last sugar crop was only intended
to prevent the rebels from raising a
loan in the United States. He had
always been in favor of grinding, as
was afterward done. So far as the
order of concentration was concerned,
an order which had been the subject
of so much criticism, it was requested
by all Spaniards in Cuba from the very
outset. He did not hesitate to put it
in force Immediately, preferring to
wait; but the results of the cOncentra-
ton policy, once put into force, had
been very favorable TO the national
interests"
My release from my post and re-
sponsibilities, he said, did not sur
prise. ] had expected II from the
death of Senior Canovas, not believing
that any political leader would be
strong enough to sustain me when the
United States and the rebels together
were constantly demanding that Spain
should come to a settlement. l count
it an honor to have been identified
with the local Spanish party. But
the policy which 1 have followed was
not adopted in obedience to any polit-
icai party, but for what It represented
in behalf of my country. Before L
came, / was we'll aware of the patriot
ic conduct of the volunteers, and since
my arrival l have often seen it illus
trated. / have repeatedly advised the
Spanish party not to be inundated,
but to make known to the home gov
eminent the outcome of the reforms
which have been put into force. AS
for the future, 1 offer myself and shall
always hold myself in readiness to
serve the party aiming to retain Cuba
for Spain"
Although Gen. Weyler retains the
command until the arrival of Gen.
Blanco, he has delivered the offices of
the general government of the island
to Admiral Navarro and the military
offices to Gen. Castellanos. Lieut..
Col. Ardanaz has been appointed CEN
sor. Gen. Luque and Gen. Hernandez
Volasco have arrived from Holguin
and Pinar del Rio.
The president of the republic of San
to Domingo has wired Gen. Weyler a
farewell greeting and a wish for the
peace and prosperity of Spain.
Gen. Weyler has issued the following
proclamation to the inhabitants of the
island:
More accustomed to the inclemency
of the camp than to the enervating
pleasures of the parlOr, 1 am rude and
concise. You all know the state of
the island when l arrived and you are
convinced that shortly peace will be
re-established in the island extending
the already excellent influence that
dominates in the province of Havana,
Pinar del Rio and Santa Clara up to
the Jacaro trocha.
THE sugar estates are preparing for
grinding. The railroads are in good
condition for passenger and merchan-
disc, and the country can be travelled
without ambuscades, while incendiar-
ism has been stopped. To reach this
stage, l have been compelled to resort
to vigorous measures; but, / have al
ways offered pardon in the name of
generous Spain to her unnatural citi-
zens. leave the rebellion so reduced
as to guarantee Spanish sovereignty
and only by artful means and by a
completely unworthy of Spaniards will
the enemies of Spain be able to imperil
it."