Weyler had no 20,000 men to spare, but he did not dare tell the truth lest
the facts of his knavery might come out.

He made up his mind to send the troops, and then if things went wrong in
Cuba, to declare that the withdrawal of the soldiers had paralyzed him,
and cost him Cuba.

Some one, however, sent word to Señor Canovas of the true state of
affairs, and some very plain messages have been passing between Spain and
Cuba.

The men are to go anyhow; but with only a force of 80,000 men left behind,
Spain has little hope of pacifying Cuba.

The insurgents have, or will have when the Spanish troops are sent away,
as many men at their command as the Spaniards have, and they feel very
confident of success, because the men under them are well fed, healthy,
and hopeful, while the poor Spanish soldiers are hungry, sick, and
despairing.

[Illustration: GEN. WEYLER and COL. FONDEVIELLA, Gen. Weyler's Chief
Assistant.]

It seems as if the Cubans have now a better chance of winning their
freedom than they have ever had, and if they fail, it will be their own
fault.

A pleasant piece of news in connection with all the rest, is that the
infamous Fondeviella has been removed from the command in Guanabacoa. His
resignation has been asked for from Madrid, and another officer has been