Home › The Cuban Government › The Cuban Government: Weyler
The Cuban Government: Weyler
This may be Gomez, but it has not quite the sound of him. As to General Weyler, we find this the attitude of the rebel chieftain: He is nearly worn out and hoarse from proclamations and speeches, and his military judgment is far inferior to that of General Campos, and we have marched with even greater ease from one section of the country to the other. Weyler's coming has benefited the Cuban cause in many ways. His record was against him, and the world knew that Spain intended to be cold-blooded and inhuman when she sent him. The people of Cuba knew this also, and thousands of men who were not inclined to join one side or the other while General Campos remained, are now bearing arms with our flag. The majority of Spaniards are not fiends and butchers by any means, and when a human devil is sent to lead them in the work of murder and outrage, they naturally refuse to follow him. Although massacres have occurred and although homes have been ruined and womanhood outraged by order of Weyler, the lovers of liberty may thank God that he was sent to command Spain's army in Cuba.
We are charged with burning homes, destroying railroads and bridges, and laying growing fields waste--and the charges are in a measure true. We have carried out such plans, believing that in such a cause, and against such an enemy, we were right. But no man can truthfully say that we have outraged God and love and humanity, even for liberty's sake. I am here to lead an army against Spain, against her army, her towns, her revenues, and I shall wage it so long as the Almighty Father gives me strength.