id popular dissatisfaction and
political unrest. The Spanish people, though sincerely desirous of
peace, are disposed to admire this hesitancy and tenacious holding out
till the last, although aware that it implies greater sacrifices.

"As an illustration of this feeling, while General Toral is blamed for
capitulating at Santiago, Captain-General Augustin, in continuing a
hopeless resistance at Manila, bids fair to be a popular hero."

About this time, before any attack by the Americans, Macias,
captain-general of Porto Rico, discovered a conspiracy, which if it had
not been quickly checked would have placed the island in a state of
insurrection.

Eduardo Baselge and Danian Castillo, both prominent Porto Ricans, were
active leaders in the incipient insurrection.

The Spanish postal authorities discovered the conspiracy through a
letter written by Castillo to Baselga. General Macias was informed of
this discovery, and a quiet investigation disclosed the fact that there
were involved in it all of the most prominent residents of the city of
San Juan, both native and foreign.

The headquarters of the conspirators were located and a quantity of
dynamite, arms and provisions was found.

It was the intention of the leaders, after their plans had been
perfected, to give wide publication to a proclamation calling upon all
native and patriotic Porto Ricans who hold liberty dearer than life, to
join them and accomplish the overthrow of the Spanish government and the
death of the governor and his officials. The plans of the conspirators
were so carefully laid that had it not been for the accidental discovery
of Castillo's letter, they would unquestionably have been carried out.

The discovery of the conspiracy occurred about the time of the visit to
Washington of Dr. J. J. Henna and Ramon Todd, both prominent Porto
Ricans, of whom we have had occasion to speak before, and whose purpose
in going there was to hold a conference with President McKinley relative
to the establishment of a provisional United States government in the
island after the Spaniards had been driven out.

Within twenty-four hours after the arrest the two leaders, Baselga and
Castillo, were shot.

The residents became very much excited over the affair, and feeling
against the Spanish officials ran high.

From the very beginning the real Porto Ricans, as we shall see
hereafter, were in favor of the Americans. The Spaniards, however, were
most bitter, an