New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-14
WEYLER'S TRACES IN HAVANA.
MEMORIES OF HIS GRIM REIGN OF
TERROR.
STREET NAMED FOR HIM AND A HISTORIC
MONUMENT RESTORED.

A STREET NAMED FOR HIM AND HISTORIC
MONUMENT RESTORED.
Havana. Nov 4.-During the three and
half years that the Spanish Army has been
in Cuba II was a rare sight 10 see Span
ish officer reading anything even the daly
newspaper. Perhaps IL was for this reason 'ha'
the sight OF group OF them reading the inscrip-
tion entablature IN the wall OF the "ihe-
shop in Obispo-st.. opposite the Plaza OF Arms
started a train OF reflections in the observer inc
entabature marks historic spot. 1t Is simple
BIT of marble symbolism set in the mortar walls.
with Ionic columns and the rude figure OF an anger
surmounting the cross. The tablet has in time De-
come so incrusted with the mortar that 1t coud
be seen but the chisel has brought 1t to light
again. The inscription. which Is In quaint Lath,
tells that this spot Don Maria Cepero suffered
the martyrdom OF death by torture for the faith'
SO II appears that the aboriginal inhabitants '"0e
In a while turned the cruel conaustadores
The Spanish officers II they had been IN the
mood for morallzng the chapter of history that
IL closing on their country forever might nav
passed through the plaza to the templete' or NUS
temple OF Columbus which fronts it from the sea
Whether II is tradition or history that 'he nisI
mass was celebrated here under ceipa tree ''V
years ago the monument that marks the place
does not indicate. Faith accepted the tradition'
and three-quarters OF a century ago small Duild-
Ing with Grecian pillars and porticos was erected
in commemoration OF the ceremony Inc NIUE
temple is severely PLATA The iron railing "hicn
shuts II In modernizes all the surroundihss IL
this were lacking bazaar or kiosk FOR the SAFE o
CONNECTIONS and bottled drinks would destroy what
Illusion might remain. 1t takes an enort OF the
Imagination tc recall all that is commentaries by
Eel tempete."
A SEVERE TEST OF STOICISM.
The Spanish officers stoics. or perhaps
philosophers. They may be Indifferent 10 the
martyrdom OF Don Maria Cepero and careless Oh
the first mass celebrated the Island yet II thr
Imagination is not moved their stocism must Dc
tested when they think Of American soldiers occu-
pvInp "a Truerza That will happen soon. Inc
ancient fortress x step from the little tempe
the stone ar the base, the turret ana me l'ur
Ian statue surrounding 1t make La futr%d
the cornerstone OF Havana. Though the stone
bas,lons have been eaten by the moist atmos-
nbora fo- three centuries and a half, they
have not cr1Imbled away How thick the walls are
no one takes the trouble TO measure. De SOTO gave
the orders FOR building them His VIE Is saiu 10
have died here while waiting Word iro'" inc us
coverer OF the Mississippi NJ,
La Tuerza f. still habtable and habited. Inc
snanish garrison stood In its walls and jeered at
Consul-Gencral Lee that day las; April when as
the official representative OF the nted S'dteS ne
sailed out Of the harbor on the vessel sent ny MS
Government 10 bring him away Time revenge 10
swift American troops may not make par ao%'
OF La Fuerza but the guard from one Oh 'he leei
mems In General Lees division may sc -" IiovsI
patroliing Il. The other day compani, ~ ,Dder
Spanish volunteers had tntit pntu -, 'pisb,nded
the walls OF the historic fort and then
cIa@s- "a. liz go be willing 10 blot out one OF
them is Of Naerano Weyler Marquis Oh len.
General OF the colony OF Cuba. II may nav ~ -
a Islander that when he went away MeSierd ,bat
in II were the cuspidors from the palace. bu'
after the approved method of many prscTune nerv
much that rghtfuy belonged TO the Govern IIna
He had hoped perpetuate his name IN tid. .n
in One met
named after him so that in the future the cafe
We Rgh E keeP h fresh the fame Of the
man who took service with Spain. me 1thei was
The grimmest chapter in Weyers reign Of terror
was when the "arguntamiento. or Suy Oou"0t';;
ohispo-st TO General Weyler-st. The publication
was accompanied WITH HS bo ba .S obecons 10
this change 10 appear and make known thelr oo-
lions wl u, Brutal sense Of humor
have enjoyed waiting for the DIRECTORS 20 uisclose
Ssva and az no objection had been filed the change
was made and little tablets bearing the sign,
LONG the thoroughfare OF course II remained
Obspo-st in spite Of municipal edlct IN me avar
tsniento' Of Havana will formally revoke the ac-
ton taken some two years ago
SOME VANDALISM NEEDED
II would not be 20 easy to obliterate Weyler's
eff ,rts TO restore the historic corners OF the c'y
u,ithou, some degree OF historic vandalism. The
= possible one II was erected by the citizens OF
Havana IN 1888 This fact is attested by the In
scriptlon on It's base which IS carved In the marble
Fortunately FOR the patriotic Cubans VINO want 10
blot out all ratification OF Weyler with the CITY,
me Inscription which links his name with the
Plaza Of Arms IL no more enduring than that "hich
black paint makes upon stone IL recltes tnat ne
nIaza was renovated in 1897. Don Naleriano Neyier
being Captaln-Cieneral The renovation was credit
able whether accomplished under tyran' or a
Hberator II made the plaza a fairly presentaole
little park without too much shruhOery.
Ferdinand VII has his back turned 70 the pal
ace which IL Unsuitable. Its long surface or nat
wall fronting on the plaza f. not imposing aren't
,ecturallv IL no TO face in that direction an
he could see looking through the archWay INTO the
court would Re a poor replica OF columbus gazing
down upon the cast of globe columbus LOOKS
melancholy and Ferdinand VII Is doubtless hap
pier gazing past the little temple through the mar
row street TO the bay and the Mills OF Cabana
beronl II The large. square building on ferdI.
nands left is OF A better type than the palace. ~
il or has been. the headquarters OF the general
stan Of that army which has moro generals man ~
mo arm OF Germany OF course. the army OF
Snain is meant Many years ago the bulIdins was
fbe headauarters Of the Military Governor OF
Havana Province. The Royal Lottery ana the Gov
eminent pawnshop were also Quartered there.
RAILROAD INTERESTS.