reforms seem wise and just we shall not uphold the island in her
rebellion.

As to Hawaii, it seems a foregone conclusion that annexation will be
recommended, and will be an accomplished fact in a short space of time.

* * * * *

The _Competitor_ prisoners have just landed in this country. The stories
they tell of the hardships they endured and the cruelties practised on
them are heartrending.

They declare that they were condemned to death without a hearing, and
were forced to choose a Spaniard to defend them at the mockery of a
trial which they were given.

This man laughed when they told him they were not guilty, and never
opened his lips to plead for them, or to ask that they be allowed to
make their own statements.

When they had been adjudged guilty he offered a half-hearted plea for
mercy.

They were so shockingly treated and so badly fed while in jail that they
have come back mere shadows of their former selves, and weak, lame, and
maimed.

* * * * *

The result of the Cuban election has at last been made known, but we
find that the new president is not Capote after all, but Bartolome Maso.

The election should have taken place on the 2d of September, but owing
to the absence of several delegates it did not occur until early in
November.

Senor Mendez Capote presided over the meetings, and it was probably this
which made people think that he had been elected president.

The election was very orderly. Maso was elected president by a large
majority, and Capote vice-president. Maximo Gomez was made
commander-in-chief of the Cuban forces.

The fact that the election had been accomplished in such a peaceful
manner is considered a proof of the great strength of the revolution,
and has made a good impression on the world generally.

* * * * *

Those dreadful Austrian deputies are still quarrelling!

The Reichsrath reassembled a few days ago, and continued to indulge in a
mild form of misbehavior, which suddenly developed into the most
shocking riot that has as yet occurred.

The old language question came up.

A number of petitions had been presented to the Parliament against the
decree making it necessary for officials in Bohemia to understand both
the German and Czech languages.

It was proposed, as these petitions were nearly all alike, that one
would be chosen from them and read to the House, and t