San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-10-21
UNWILLING NEY[R.
He Refuses To Turn OV-
er His Command.
DELIBERATELY DlS0BEYS THE
SECOND CABLE TO THAT Eff
feet FROM SAGASTA. =,
CastelarOS Comes To Take The Oath
Of Office But Weyler Holds Him
Off-DemandS A Certificate
That The -Four Provinces
Are Pacified.

New York, Oct. 21.-A dispatch to the
Herald from Havana, Cuba, says:
In spite of all his protests to the con-
trary, Gen. Weyler, when it comes to
the actual test of resigning his COM
mand, exhibits decided reluctance. He
has refused to give over authority as
captain general to his duly appointed
successor, Jimenez Castellanos, al
though peremptorily ordered to do so
by Spain's minister of war. The situa-
ton is critical. Senior Sagasta cannot
| it is believed, permit his ministry to
be openly defied by Gen. Weyler, and
| yet he may have to resort to extreme
measures to remove the captain gener-
al. Over and over again Capt. Gen.
weyler has affirmed he would do moth
| ing to embarrass his country, but ac-
tions speak louder than words.
Castellanos arrived in the capitol
late Monday night. He had been ap-
pointed by Spanish minister of war to
replace Gen. Weyler until Gen. Blanco
arrived in Cuba Castellanos was in
the field when the appointment came,
but he at once started for the palace.
In some unaccountable way a man-of-
war sent to fetch him was retarded.
| Castellanos proceeded to the palace on,
Tuesday morning, expecting to be
sworn in as captain general. But it
was very soon apparent Gen. Wey-
Ter did not intend that anything of the
kind should happen. He made ex-
cuses and hesitated until Castellanos
was provoked to cable to Madrid. A
reply came quickly. 1t was a premp-
tory order that Gen. Weyler should va
cate and that the newly appointed man
should assume command at once. But
even then Gen. Weyler did not obey.
He told Castellanos that before he
would hand over the office he must
have written statement from his sue
cessor to the effect that the four west
ern provinces were pacified. Now Cas-
tellanos had been in the field and knew
the truth and refused to sign any such
document.
This happened Tuesday evening.
Gen. Weyler is still captain general
and in effect defies any one to divest
him of his authority. Gen. Weyler's in
innate friends assert that he will not
Irelinquish command until few hours
before the time he has fix
ed to sail for Spain. The
date of his departure is now fixed
for October 80. But it was once fixed
for the twentieth. There is time for
much to happen before Gen. Blanco
can arrive.
Gen. Weyler entertained the colonies
of the volunteer force at banquet at
the palace on Monday night. 1t was a
splendid affair and the wines were of
the best. During the course of the ev-
ening, Gen. Weyler made a speech full
of insinuations. Gen. Weyler attempt
ed to justify himself beforehand for
anything he might do to prevent,
SPANS present ministry from carrying
out what he felt was a policy that
would bring disaster to his beloved
country.
There is little doubt that the volunteer
force in Cuba is with Gen. Weyler.
He has looked after them well; he has
uniformed and armed them well and
they enjoy many privileges They have
good deal to lose and nothing to gain
if, the Cubans are given a liberal voice
in the government.
The volunteer force is composed
chiefly of petty office holders, clerks,
laborers, walters, porters, etc. 1t num-
bers in Havana alone more than $4,000 |
men, a well-drilled and strong body of |
men. With them Gen. Weyler is a |
power.
In the meantime the rebels are eager |
and ready for the winter campaign.
The movement westward is slow, but |
sure. Indeed it is significant that Gen. |
Gomez is not following his usual tao
tics. Heretofore his westward marches |
have been bold, swift dashes, with the |
advancing force split up in small bod
les, but this time it is different.
There is something so very solid |
about the very slowness Of the move
ment. 1t betokens heavy baggage |
trains; it means artillery; it means the |
laying of a permanent basis Of sup /
plies, ii means that the rebels are COM