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The Orders and Administration of Weyler: Spain

I take charge of my duties with the expectation ever constant in me of preserving its possession for Spain, determined, as she is in this purpose, to spare no kind of strenuous exertions, of which she is giving evident proofs. For the accomplishment of said purpose I rely upon the bravery and discipline of the army and navy, the unshaken patriotism of the corps of volunteers, and very particularly the true assistance that will be tendered by the loyal inhabitants, born here or in the peninsula.

It is not to be said here, for you already know it, that although I am always liberal to the vanquished, and to every one who renders any services to the cause of Spain, I shall not be found wanting in determination and energy, which are my characteristics, to punish with all the severity sanctioned by law those who may help the enemy in any way, or try to abate the dignity of our national name.

Laying aside for the time being all political ideas, my honorable mission now is to end the war, considering you only as being Spaniards, who will help me loyally to vanquish the insurgent; but I shall be no impediment when her majesty's government, knowing what you are and what you deserve, and also the state of tranquility that may be attained by these provinces, grants to you, in due time, those reforms deemed proper in its estimation, doing this with the good will of a loving mother toward her children. Inhabitants of Cuba, assist me with your efficient co-operation, and by so doing you will protect your own interests, which are identical with those of the fatherland.

Long live Spain! Long live Spanish Cuba!

Your Governor-General, VALERIANO WEYLER, Marquis of Tenerife. Havana, the 10th of February, 1896.

On the same date there was an address issued to the volunteers and firemen--the firemen are a highly organized and armed force--saying: It is gratifying to me to have been appointed your chief, for I meet again those volunteers and firemen who fought with me in the last war, and who, with their bravery, energy, and patriotism, saved order, protected the towns and villages, and contributed powerfully to preserve Cuba for Spain. This was followed by an exhortation to continue to do well, and a promise of "perfect attention" to that which volunteers and firemen might do. In an address to the "Soldiers in the Army of Cuba," the captain-general paid, rather unexpectedly, this tribute to his predecessor:

My hope is, that while under my orders, you will continue giving proofs of the courage and endurance which are peculiar to the Spanish soldier, and that you will win new victories, to be added to those obtained by you under the command of my illustrious predecessor, his excellency Captain-General Martinez de Campos.

February 19th, the captain-general addressed the people, stating the fixed determination of Spain to "overcome the insurrection, and having referred to his "personal character" as an element in affairs, he added: It must be quite clear to you that the state attained by the insurrection, and the incursion lately made by the principal ringleaders, in spite of active pursuit by our columns, are in some way the effects of indifference, fear, or discouragement on the part of the people, for it is hard to understand why some should remain passive while their plantations are set on fire, or otherwise destroyed, or how some Peninsulars can sympathize with the insurgents.

It is by all means necessary to oppose such a condition of affairs, and to reanimate the spirits of the citizens by making them perceive that I am equally determined to tender efficient protection to the loyal and to apply the law with all its severity against those who help or exalt the enemy, or try to abate the honor of Spain, or that of the army of volunteers. Then it is also desirable that those who are on our side show their good disposition by their own actions in such way that no ground be left for doubts, proving that they are Spaniards, for the defense of the fatherland demands some sacrifice on the part of her children.

An order appeared in which the general-in-chief of the army in operations assumed, according to the code of military justice, the judiciary authority belonging to his civil capacity, and this was therefore decreed: All prisoners taken by the troops during an engagement with the enemy will be submitted to summary proceedings, for which all judicial formalities shall be avoided that are not absolutely indispensable to pass judgment. And the captain-general added the declaration:

No capital sentence shall be executed until I have received the testimonials of the sentence, which must be sent to me immediately, except when there is no communication, and the sentence refers to the crime of insult to a superior officer, or military sedition, which will be executed, afterward giving me information to that effect.