Military officer; born in
Spain in 1840; became a lieutenant-general in the
Spanish army and captain-general of the
Canary Islands when thirty-nine years old as a reward for his services in the
Santo Domingo campaign.
He distinguished himself during the
Carlist War, and attracted attention to himself during the
Spanish War against the Moors in
Africa.
General Weyler was sent to
Cuba in the early
part of the Ten Years War and served under two
captain-generals.
He remained there more than two years and was sent back to
Spain on account of complaints against him for alleged cruelty.
It was during this campaign in
Cuba that he received his title of “The butcher.”
While there, his troops, with his knowledge, committed dreadful outrages in the province of
Santiago, and especially in Camaguey.
In January, 1896, he was appointed captain-general of
Cuba to succeed
Gen. Martinez Campos.
He landed at
Havana, Feb. 10, and on the same day issued several addresses.
To the military and civil authorities he said:
It is quite impossible to concede that the status of the rebellion and the manner in which the rebel chiefs have overrun the island, the active pursuit by our troops being unable to check them, indicates indifference or a lack of spirit on the part of the inhabitants, for I do not understand how property holders can remain inactive and neutral while their plantations are being burned before their eyes, making no efforts whatever to aid those who would punish such vandalism.
Nor can I explain how some, even among native Spaniards, residents of the island, can sympathize with the insurgents.
It is therefore necessary for the government to throw more energy into the campaign, and thus reanimate the people, reinspiring them with new confidence in the final triumph of our cause, at the same time letting it be known that, while we are prepared to protect the lives and property of those loyal to Spain, we purpose to severely punish all who assist our enemies, directly or indirectly, or who endeavor in any wise to belittle the prestige of our troops, whether regulars or volunteers.
We must insist that those who profess themselves loyal to the cause of Spain manifest it by acts as well as words, that all doubts as to their sincerity may be removed.
All such must prove their fealty.
If they are Spaniards they must send their sons to fight for Spain, and be willing to make the utmost sacrifice in defence of Spanish supremacy here as well as in the peninsula.
To leave the regular forces free for operation smaller towns must organize and maintain their local defences, and residents therein suspected of sympathy with the revolution will be taken into custody and placed at the disposition of the military authorities for trial.
Fresh guerillas must be organized and a better spy system inaugurated to keep track of the enemy's movements.
In a proclamation to the inhabitants of
Cuba, he said:
I take charge with the confidence which never abandons a cause of preserving the island for Spain.
I shall be always generous with those who surrender,
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but will have the decision and energy to punish rigorously those who in any way help the enemy.
Without having in mind any political mission, I would not oppose the government of his Majesty when in its wisdom, having peace in Cuba, it should think it convenient to give this country reforms with the same spirit of love in which a mother gives all things to her children.
Inhabitants of the island of Cuba, lend me your help.
So you will defend your interests, which are the interests of the country.
On Feb. 17, he issued three proclamations, of which the following is the most important:
First.
Those who invent or circulate by any means whatever news or information, directly or indirectly, favorable to the rebellion will be considered guilty of acts against the security of the country as defined by Article 223 of the military code, as they thereby facilitate the operations of the enemy.
Second.
Those who destroy or damage railroads, telegraphs, or telephones, or interrupt the operations of the same.
Third.
Those who are guilty of arson.
Fourth.
Those who sell, carry, or deliver arms or ammunition to the enemy or in any other way facilitate their introduction through the custom-house.
Parties failing to cause the seizure of such arms or ammunition will incur criminal responsibility.
Fifth.
Telegraph operators delivering war messages to other persons than the proper officers.
Sixth.
Those who by word of mouth, through the medium of the press, or in any other manner shall belittle the prestige of Spain, the army, volunteers, firemen, or any other force operating with the army.
Seventh.
Those who by the same means shall praise the enemy.
Eighth.
Those who shall furnish the enemy with horses or other resources of warfare.
Ninth.
Those who act as spies will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
Tenth.
Those who shall act as guides to the enemy and fail to surrender themselves immediately and give proof of their loyalty and report the strength of the force employed by the enemy.
Eleventh.
Those who shall adulterate the food of the army or alter the prices of provisions.
Twelfth.
Those using explosives in violation of the decree of Oct. 17, 1895.
Thirteenth.
Those who shall use pigeons, rockets, or signals to convey news to the enemy.
Fourteenth.
The offences above mentioned are punishable by penalty of death or life imprisonment, the judges to take proceedings.
Fifteenth.
All orders conflicting with the foregoing are hereby revoked.
The second proclamation is as follows:
First.
All the inhabitants of the country within the jurisdiction of Sancti Spiritus and the provinces of Puerto Principe and Santiago will present themselves at the headquarters of a division, brigade, or column of the army, and provide themselves with a document proving their identity inside of eight days from the publication of this order in their respective townships.
Second.
To go into the country within the radius of the columns operating therein it is now necessary to obtain a pass from the mayor or military commander.
Those failing to comply with this requirement will be detained and sent to Havana, subject to my orders.
In case of doubt as to the genuineness of a pass or if there are reasons to suppose a party to have sympathy with the rebels or to aid them in any way, due responsibility for the same will be placed upon the officer issuing the pass.
Third.
All stores in the country districts must be vacated at once by their owners.
Chiefs of column must also decide as to the disposition of such property, which, while being unproductive to the country, may, at the same time, serve as a habitation or hiding-place for the enemy.
Fourth.
All passes issued prior to this date are hereby cancelled.
His first important military movement was that against
General Maceo, in the western part of the province of Pinar del
Rio. No attention was paid to
Gomez, who was in the province of
Havana.
Ten engagements were fought against
Maceo's forces within fifteen days, with no
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appreciable advantage to the Spaniards.
Maceo, gifted in this general warfare, experienced no difficulty in moving his forces at will, and crossed the trocha into the province of
Havana, despite the
Spanish forces stationed there in anticipation of such a manoeuvre.
After a succession of unimportant operations the rainy season practically put an end to further developments.
In the mean time reinforcements had come from
Spain, and with the arrival of propitious weather
Weyler took the field in person.
He established headquarters on the line of the railroad between
Havana and Pinar del Rio City, and several skirmishes ensued.
Despite his reports of successful engagements with the insurgents, a continuous stream of wounded Spanish soldiers found their way back to
Havana.
Then came the
coup resulting in the death of
Maceo by the troops under
Major Cirujada's command, and
Weyler returned to
Havana.
He announced with complacency that Pinar del
Rio was free from rebels.
His second campaign was against
Gomez.
In the mean time the
Spanish press had succeeded in arousing a feeling of dissatisfaction with the
captain-general, but Señor Canovas was not brought into sympathy with this feeling.
Weyler, on Jan. 11, 1897, announced that three provinces were pacified, and in spite of this news, reassuring in the
Spanish capital, he again took the field, and spread destruction and ruin throughout the province of
Matanzas, one of the “pacified” districts.
Gomez succeeded in eluding
Weyler in
Matanzas, and only a few skirmishes ensued.
These were reported as Spanish victories.
Weyler next advanced into
Santa Clara, where he was clearly outwitted by
Gomez, but here again he had recourse to the torch.
The
captain-general was again in
Havana on March 5, and on March 23 he instituted his unsuccessful campaign against
Garcia.
He was ordered to return to
Havana on Sept. 5, and was succeeded as captain-general by
Gen. Ramon Y Arenas Blanco (q. v.).
After his return to
Madrid the government decided to try him by court-martial for the publication of an address to the
Queen Regent protesting against
President McKinley's criticism of his rule in
Cuba, but he defied the authorities to take proceedings against him; apologized to the
Queen Regent; and on Oct. 20, 1900, was appointed captain-general of
Madrid.
See
Cuba;
reconcentrados.
