r declares that the army has been making great preparations
for the coming winter campaign, and expects to show the mother-country,
by force of arms, that Cuba will have nothing from her but freedom.

* * * * *

General Weyler has left Cuba, and General Ramon Blanco has taken command
in his place.

The demonstrations so much feared by the Americans and Cubans in Havana
occurred in spite of all the efforts to prevent them, but, happily such
excellent precautions were taken that no rioting ensued.

There were a few cries of "Death to the Americans," but a strong guard
had been placed over our consulate, and so no attack was made on it.

A report was circulated that the American cruiser _Montgomery_ was
outside the harbor, and so the Americans were not interfered with. They
wisely kept within doors during the whole day, and everything passed off
peaceably.

The city itself went wild over its beloved General. The stores were
closed, the streets decorated, rockets were fired, and immense crowds
gathered round the palace to bid Weyler farewell. The General went from
the palace to the wharf on foot, the crowds pressing round him, shaking
his hand, and even kissing him, cheering him to the echo as he embarked.

The Government in Spain sincerely wished to prevent the demonstration.
The ministry desired to give the impression that Weyler had been
recalled from Cuba because his rule had not been satisfactory to Spain.
The Prime Minister therefore feared that if the Spaniards in Cuba
gathered round Weyler and praised his rule--which had been so
bloodthirsty and savage,--the Cubans would be still more enraged against
Spain, and less inclined to believe that she really meant to give them
the promised reforms.

To prevent any show of feeling, word was cabled from Spain that Weyler
was on no account to leave the island until General Blanco arrived.

Weyler must have thought this to mean that Blanco had orders to forbid
any demonstration, and so, in direct defiance to the orders he had
received, he decided to embark the day that Blanco was expected.

By this means he was able to permit the demonstration which was so
pleasing to his vanity, and also to make trouble for his successor.

The Cubans, as Spain feared, were shocked that the Spaniards should make
an idol of their bitterest enemy, and immediately began to doubt the
truth of the Home Rule stories.

Weyler went aboard his ship in great s