The man who shot Canovas declared, when he was arrested, that his brother had been tortured in Barcelona, and that he had killed the Minister in revenge.
Great statesman and good friend to the crown as Canovas was, he was a bad friend to the people. He believed in force. It was he who chose General Weyler to go to Cuba, well knowing his ferocious character, and that he would be sure to treat the insurgents with great severity.
Now that Canovas is dead the Cubans believe that the war will soon be brought to a close. They think that Sagasta will be appointed to fill the place of the murdered Minister, and that he will at once recall Weyler, and send Campos in his place.
They think that Sagasta will offer them home rule, and if they refuse it, and show a determination to continue the war, that Sagasta will weaken and offer to give up the island for a sum of money.
One Cuban, being asked what effect he thought the death of Canovas would have, replied:
"He has done more to harm Cuba than Weyler, and through his death the unfortunate island will lose two of her worst enemies. Canovas' death means Cuba's freedom!" But, naturally, a Cuban's estimate of a Spanish Minister cannot, be accepted as an unprejudiced one.
To his sovereign and his country Señor Canovas has ever been a most faithful servant. In him the Queen Regent loses the one man on whom Spain relied for help out of her present difficulties.
The Coal Strike is still unsettled.
A determined effort is being made to get the Pittsburg miners to join the strike. There is a great Pittsburg firm called the New York and Cleveland Gas and Coal Company, of which Mr. W.P. De Armitt is the head. It is a most important firm, and the strikers think that if they can only get De Armitt's men to join them they are sure of success.