Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-05


an interview In which he is reported to
have said that he did not think new
premier would be any more inclined
to arbitration or mediation in Cuban
affairs than was the Canovas ministry;
also that the late premier had already
proposed more thorough reforms than
any vet offered, such in fact as should
satisfy the Cuban insurgents. Now II
is possible that the secretary said all
this, but considering the interview ap-
peared in paper which makes sensa-
ton rather than truthfulness the first
requisite, the whole may be taken with
a grain Of salt However, if Canovas
has proposed a satisfactory measure
of reform it is contrary to any previous
attempt on his part and it is all that
could be expected of Sagasta, who not
long ago declared the Liberals would
not entertain the idea of abandoning
or selling Cuba.
1t has commonly been regarded that
the rupture in cabinet matters was
largely due to opposition to the brutal
ineffciency of General Weyler, aud
has already been asked to resume the
command. This of itself is something
earnestly to be desired by anyone who
may be moved by humane instincts.
While SO long as the war continues
Cuba must continue to be devastated
and unless speedy end of the conflict
be brought about the devastation will
be complete, nevertheless Spain herself
can ill afford to have the present bar
There is no longer any doubt about
Weylerism. He is cruel, rapacious and
thoroughly unreliable. Under his man
agement the men who commit the worst
barbarities win his favor. He delib-
erately plans to starve the Cuban
pacificos and is doing it, He accom-
plishes nothing in the way of military
successes. The insurgents are undeni-
ably stronger today than ever before.
Weyler dare not attack them in their
strongholds in the mountains and can
not pass through the province within
sight of Havana without being attack
ed by gtierrilas. a system of extor-
ton is i'm operation to such an extent
that it is apparent many of the Spanish
officers, and presumably Weyler him
self. do not want the war to cease, for
they are enriching themselves. All
these statements are borne out by an
almost endless chain of evidence COM
ing from Spaniards as well as Cubans,
from Americans living in Cuba and
having Cuban trade. a few days ago
Don Santiago Barroeta, a Spaniard, now
a refugee from Cuba on account of
falling under the displeasure of Wey-t
Ter, made statement in which he de-
liberateIy charges Weyler with all
these practices. Barroeta cannot be
called unprejudiced, but as he has
fought consistently in the Spanish !
army against the insurgents and
claims that he is as loyal today as ever !
and hopeful of Spanish victory on the
island, moreover as he was a man of
high standing, his words are entitled
to much weight especially as they but
repeat the charges so often made and
never disproved. He exposes the
falsehoods to which Weyler resorts for /,
keeping up appearances and cites many
particular instances of Spanish defeats
which We're reported as Spanish victo- ;
ries. He declares that fraud pervades ,
every department. The Spanish sol !
diers themselves are robbed and cruelty ,
treated.
In view of all this the recall of Wey ,
Ter seems certain. though his contin- '
uance in charge might the sooner has
ten Cuban independence for there must
be a limit to such atrocities. War at ,
best is cruel but it does not necessitate
the slaughter of women and children
and the burning of hospitals with their
inmates. The change of ministry can
scarcely fail to be a gain for humanity.