Home › The Orders and Administration of Weyler › The Orders and Administration of Weyler: Cubans

The Orders and Administration of Weyler: Cubans

This order was regarded by the Cubans, sympathetic with the rebellion, as extremely menacing and vindictive, as it was plainly seen the purpose was forcing those most anxious to pursue a neutral position to take sides--with, if they acted according to their sentiments, terrible consequences to themselves. The news of the Weyler appointment had appalled the Cubans and those able to do so, and, unable to enter the insurgent army, were fleeing to Mexico by hundreds on every steamer while he was crossing the Atlantic. The declaration of February 19th increased the panic, and the public distress was agonizing.

Stringent decrees were at once issued threatening:

All those who invent or propagate by any means, news which may either directly or indirectly favor the rebellion, will be considered as guilty of a misdemeanor against the safety of the fatherland. As is stated in Art. 223, case 6th, of the Code of Military Justice, inasmuch as they so facilitate the operations of the enemy.

The propagation of false news was placed in the list of crimes with those of burning houses and destroying railroads and telegraph and telephone lines, and also:

Those who consent to serve the enemy as guides if they do not report immediately to the authorities to show that they were compelled by force, or at once prove their loyalty by giving the troops any information asked of them.