The day after the despatch was received, a cabinet meeting was held, at
which it was decided that General Weyler must be recalled.

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.