EXIT WEYLER! 223 only the sovereignty of Spain. A new man would be sent to Havana to announce the new policy. Weyler wouldbe recalled, and Marshal Blanco, a soldier with a good military record, whohad already served withdistinctioninCuba, would take his place. There would be an amnesty which would allow of the return of many of the exiles to Cuba, and the United States Government was asked to co-operate with the new regime by energetically repressing the filibustering expeditions that had already done so much to make therebels formidable.

Autonomist party in Cuba with a view to arranging the details of the promised local government scheme.

Congress metin the first week of Decemberat Washington, and President McKinley's message dealt mainly with the Cuban question. Its moderate tone was a bitter disappointment to the more violent advocates of intervention,and the President was denounced in unmeasured terms for his half-hearted policy by the very journals that a short time before had been loudest in his praise. The message was really anoutspoken pleafor Cuba, and withal a statesmanlike document, written by a man who felt the full responsibility of the situation. The President described the Cuban question as the most important problem with which the Government had to deal. Referringto theinsurrection which had been in progress in the island for nearlythree years,the Presidentsaid:— MarshalBlancowasappointedCaptain-General ofCuba onOctober 7th,and reached Havana on November 1st. There was some anxiety as to how he would be received, for Weyler had protested against his recall, declaring that he had the rebels at his mercy, that to interrupt his operations at that moment was to give a new lease of life to the insurrection, and that his recall was a surrender to American interference anda dishonour to Spain. Weyler's resentment against the United States was shown in a subsequent statement of his as to proposals he had previously made to Canovas. He had written to theMinister suggesting that Spain's reply to the despatches addressed to her from Washington on the subject of Cuba should be the landingof 50,000 Spanish troopsinFlorida.

"It still exists,and continues to be the cause of destruction of property, in disregard of the civilised code of war on both sides. This condition gives rise to the gravest apprehensions. There is no desire on the part of the United States to profit by Spain's misfortunes.

We only desire to see the Cubans enjoying a measure of self-control which is the inalienable right of man. General Weyler's Concentration policy has utterly failed as a war measure. It is not civilised warfare— it is extermination; and against this abuse of the rights of war the President has felt constrainedto protestrepeatedly, firmly,and earnestly."

At Havana the Spanish volunteers made turbulent demonstrations in his honour, and there were rumours that he would defy the home Government and remain in possession of theGovernor's palace in the islandcapital;but at the last moment wisercounsels prevailed, and he withdrew from Cuba, whileBlanco was still on his way across the Atlantic. Weyler's discontent with the newpolicy found expressionin strong language after his arrival in Spain, and led to his being put for awhile under- military arrest.

He then explained the instructions given to General Woodford, the United States Minister .it Madrid. The General had been told to impress upon the Spanish Government that the desire of the United States was to co-operatein bringing the civil war to an end in a way that wouldbe honourable and advantageous to both Spain and Cuba. Marshal 'Blanco, on' reaching Havana, announced that General Weyler's Concentration Order would be revoked, and the Reconcentrados gradually sent back to cultivate' the land under the protection of the army; rebels who made their submission wouldbe treatedaspeaceful citizens;and a systemof autonomy andlocal provincial government wouldshortly be established. Operations in the field would be resumed with vigour against those insurgents who refused to accept terms. A large number of prisoners were at once liberated as an earnest of the new policy, and conferences were held between the Marshal and the leaders of, the Then came thisfriendly reference to the new policy inaugurated by Senor Sagasta, and embodied in the sending of Marshal Blanco to supersedeGeneral Weyler at Havana:— "Spain's replyis in the direction of a better .understanding. It appreciates' the friendly purposes of the UnitedStates, it admits thatthe United States is deeply affected by;the war,and :that its desires for peace are just., It further declares that the present Spanish Goveinmeni is bound by every consideration to a.change ol ;policy that should satisfy theUnited'States and ,pacify Cuba within a reasonable time. To this