Weyler y Nicolau, Valeriano [key], 1838–1930, Spanish general. His early career was spent in Santo Domingo and Cuba, where he served during the Ten Years War. He returned to Spain in 1873 and fought against the Carlists (1875–76). While captain general of the Canary Islands (1878–83) he was created marqués de Tenerife. Later he held a series of high posts, becoming captain general of the Philippines in 1888. In 1896 he replaced Arsenio Martínez de Campos in Cuba to suppress the rebellion there, but his cruel methods were protested by the United States, and he was recalled (1897). Weyler was war minister three times between 1901 and 1907. While captain general of Catalonia he suppressed the anarchist rebellion in Barcelona, which culminated in the execution of Francisco Ferrer Guardia (1909). In the mid-20s he was accused of plotting against Primo de Rivera, but he was acquitted.
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