Weyler, gratified at this, at once sent one of his boastful and untruthful replies.
He said that the war was all but over. He had still a little work to do before he could consider the West of the island entirely pacified, but that so soon as this was accomplished he would set out for Eastern Cuba and subdue that.
The Government appeared to be perfectly satisfied with this statement, but it is strange that this should be the case.
Months ago General Weyler said that Eastern Cuba was all but pacified, and that he was just about to finish his work there, and proceed to subdue Western Cuba. After a little while he declared Eastern Cuba pacified, and started off for his work in the West.
Now he tells the same story about the West, and seems to forget that according to his own statement Eastern Cuba is subdued.
If the great Spanish general keeps on at his present rate of progress, it will be a long time before he gets both ends of Cuba pacified at the same time.
Weyler complains bitterly about the filibustering expeditions. He declares that the war could have been long since terminated if the United States had not given so much aid to the insurgents by allowing these expeditions to be fitted out in her ports.
The Dauntless has been successful in carrying three expeditions to Cuba lately.
One of them was landed only a few miles from Havana, and passed within gunshot of the great fortress Morro Castle without being seen by any of the gunboats which are supposed to guard the shores.
Weyler was furious that such a daring act should have been safely accomplished, and has written a severe letter to the Admiral in charge of the fleet, upbraiding him for his carelessness.