made to speak, and so he ordered them tortured in the most inhuman ways
to make them confess.

The man who shot Canovas declared, when he was arrested, that his
brother had been tortured in Barcelona, and that he had killed the
Minister in revenge.

Great statesman and good friend to the crown as Canovas was, he was a
bad friend to the people. He believed in force. It was he who chose
General Weyler to go to Cuba, well knowing his ferocious character, and
that he would be sure to treat the insurgents with great severity.

Now that Canovas is dead the Cubans believe that the war will soon be
brought to a close. They think that Sagasta will be appointed to fill
the place of the murdered Minister, and that he will at once recall
Weyler, and send Campos in his place.

They think that Sagasta will offer them home rule, and if they refuse
it, and show a determination to continue the war, that Sagasta will
weaken and offer to give up the island for a sum of money.

One Cuban, being asked what effect he thought the death of Canovas would
have, replied:

"He has done more to harm Cuba than Weyler, and through his death the
unfortunate island will lose two of her worst enemies. Canovas' death
means Cuba's freedom!" But, naturally, a Cuban's estimate of a Spanish
Minister cannot, be accepted as an unprejudiced one.

To his sovereign and his country Señor Canovas has ever been a most