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Statistical and Documentary: Weyler

THOMAS ESTRADA PALMA, Delegate of the Cuban Republic. Dear Friend: The war continues more active and hard, on account of the fierce character which General Weyler has given to it. Our wounded are followed, and assassinated cruelly; he who has the misfortune to fall into the hands of the Spanish troops perishes without fail. The peaceful country people only find death and dishonor. Cuba to-day, as in 1868, only presents pools of blood dried by conflagrations. Our enemies are burning the houses to deprive us, according to them, of our quarters for spring. We will never use reprisals, for we understand that the revolution will never need to triumph by being cruel and sanguinary. We will go on with this war, the ultimate result of which you need not worry about, with success for the arms of the republic. We fight when convenient to us against an enemy tired out and without faith. My plans are well understood by my subordinates, and each one knows what to do. Give us cartridges, so that our soldiers can fight, and you can depend that in the spring campaign the enemy's army will be greatly reduced, and it will be necessary for Spain to send another army, and I do not know whether it would be rash to say that perhaps Spain has not the money with which to do it. We have a great military advantage over the enemy in the incapacity of the majority of Weyler's generals. The false official reports of supposed victories with which they cynically pretend to deceive themselves, their government and the world, contribute to the speedy triumph of the revolution. No human work, which has for a base falseness and infamy, can be either firm or lasting. Everything that Spain orders and sends to this land, that she has drenched with the blood of her own children, serves only to ruin her power. And no man so well chosen as General Weyler to represent, in these times and in America, the Spain of Philip II.

Much has been said and written about the recognition of belligerency by the American government; this would be very advantageous to us, and is only justice, but, as when we rose against tyranny, we only counted on the strength of our arms and the firm resolution of victory, we follow our march unconcerned, satisfied that what is to happen will happen. Your friend, MAXIMO GOMEZ.