he war in Cuba is not likely to be changed by
the change of commanders.

The Cubans know Barman Blanco well. He was Captain-General of the
island in 1879, when the second insurrection against the Spaniards
started.

Under him was Camilo Polavieja, who as Governor of the Philippines has
made for himself an unenviable reputation for cruelty.

To these two men was intrusted the task of suppressing the revolt.

The insurrection of 1879 was not a very serious affair; the Cubans as a
body took no part in it; but notwithstanding this fact, which was well
known to the authorities, fully fifteen hundred men of position in Cuba
were arrested, and many of them put to death without being tried or
given an opportunity to prove their innocence.

The Cubans have not forgotten this, and they have little to hope from
General Blanco, especially as he has announced his intention of dealing
with the present trouble in the same manner that he did with the revolt
of 1879.

He will find, however, that matters have changed considerably since
1879.

In those days a mere handful of the Cuban people were in arms against
Spain; now he will find himself among a people who are unfriendly to the
cause he represents, and who have besides organized themselves until
they have a government to direct their movements, and an army of
veterans to protect them.

Were this not enough to make his task a difficult one, he will find to
his cost that the soldiers of Spain on whom he must rely are ill, poorly
fed, and angry with the Government because it does not even pay them the
pittance due in return for their services and sufferings.

It is true that General Blanco is to take twenty thousand fresh troops
with him. But sickness and disease are ravaging Cuba, and the
new-comers, unused to the climate, are likely to be the first to fall
victims to the fevers and plagues that are turning the beautiful island
into a pest-house.

It is said that Sagasta has ordered General Blanco to continue the war
as long as there is an insurgent in arms against Spain, but that he does
not intend to conquer the people by force of arms alone.

The soldiers are to punish the Cubans if they will not obey the
Government, but Senor Sagasta means to try and win the friendship of the
people by giving them a kind and liberal form of government under which
they may prosper and be happy. With this policy he hopes to bring the
war to a speedy end.

General Blanco's first act i