The matter was therefore arranged with the utmost politeness on both sides.
General Weyler in his message stated that it was impossible for him to offer his resignation to the ministry, because he was not merely acting as the Governor of Cuba, but as Commander-in-Chief of an army engaged in war, and in the last capacity he could never allow it to be said of him that he had offered to resign while in the face of an enemy.
He added that he knew that he had the approval of the people of Spain and of some of the parties in power, but that he would also like to feel that he had the confidence of the ministers. This confidence, he declared, would enable him to finish the war, which he stated to be almost at an end.
This very artful letter had no effect on either Sagasta or the Government. The sentence about the approval of the people of Spain and of some of the parties in power was undoubtedly meant as a hint to the Prime Minister that the General had powerful friends, and that it would not be a wise thing to interfere with him.
Sagasta, however, replied to him, that while the ministry recognized and valued the work he had done for Spain, a change was considered desirable, and so he had decided to recall him.
When the news of Sagasta's action reached the people, there was much excitement both in Spain and Cuba.
In Spain it was reported that General Weyler meant to defy the Government, and keep his post in spite of Sagasta's orders, and that he had threatened that he would use his influence with the soldiers, and carry them with him over to the Carlists, if Sagasta did not instantly withdraw the recall.
The Cubans, on their part, were panic-stricken. They have such a dread of Weyler that they expected he would revenge himself on them for his disgrace.
In Havana some of the Cubans hired armed men to protect them from attack, and others crowded the steamship offices in an endeavor to escape from the country before the catastrophe came.
The fears of the people were, however, set at rest by a statement from the Captain-General that he would never be guilty of any act which could cause his Government trouble. He therefore hastened to assure Señor Sagasta of his willingness to obey the wishes of the Government, and gave up his command in Cuba.