Having failed in all his attempts to pacify the island, General Weyler was seized with a great idea the other day. He decided to meet Gomez and discuss the making of peace on the terms of Home Rule for Cuba.
General Weyler has frequently tried to obtain an interview with Gomez, but has not been successful. Since the killing of Maceo the Cuban leaders have been very careful how they trusted themselves in the hands of their treacherous foe.
On this occasion General Weyler sent his messenger to Gomez, with a very polite request.
Gomez, however, wasted neither time nor politeness over his reply.
"Tell your general," he said to the messenger, "that I do not consider him a man of honor, and that he has lowered himself too deeply to be on a level where he can confer with me."
The insurgents are in great numbers around Havana, and are making constant attacks on the suburbs of that city.
Their force is now so strong that no one can leave the city by land, and no provisions can be brought into it.
It was decided that an army should be led against the besiegers, and General Weyler (having been commanded to do so from Madrid) decided to lead this army himself.
He found himself so hemmed in by insurgents that he was unable to leave the city except by boat, as all the roads are now in the hands of the Cubans.