s to be to repeal some of the cruel laws
made by Weyler, especially those which have driven the unfortunate
peasants into the towns to starve, while their ungathered crops lie
rotting in the fields.

Whether these efforts to secure the friendship of the Cubans will be
successful or not, the future alone can tell.

At present the Cubans are not disposed to listen to any offers. They
persist in their declaration that they are fighting for freedom, and
that the change of ministers or captains-general makes no difference to
them. They are not going to lay down their arms because Weyler is
recalled, nor yet because Sagasta offers them Home Rule.

As a last act before he leaves the island, General Weyler has pardoned a
great number of Cubans whom he had exiled from their country, and these
men are now free to return to their homes.

In the mean while the Cubans have won two brilliant victories in Havana
Province, and have also gained possession of a seaport town called Santa
Maria, in the province of Pijar del Rio.

General Weyler has stated that he has pacified the eastern part of the
island, and has only a little more work to do before he will have the
west completely subdued.

In direct contradiction of this statement comes the news that Bayamo,
Holguin, Jiguani, and other towns held by the Spanish in Santiago
province (which is Eastern Cuba) have all been abandoned by the Spanish
troops since the fall of Victoria de las Tunas.

With these towns abandoned, the insurgents do not need such a large body
of troops in Santiago, and so a strong force under the leadership of
General Garcia is making its way westward to join the army in Havana and
Pinar del Rio.

This army crossed the trocha without any difficulty, attacked the town
of Taguayabon in Santa Clara, captured it and plundered it with very
little opposition from the Spaniards, and marched triumphantly on toward
Matanzas province.

The news has reached Havana that this body of men which is marching
toward the city is the flower of the insurgent army. It is stated that
it consists of infantry, cavalry, and three batteries of artillery, and
is well supplied with arms and ammunition captured from Las Tunas.

* * * * *

A messenger from Cuba has arrived in this country, who states positively
that the elections have been delayed, and that as yet no one has been
chosen to fill the office of President. He adds that Senor Bartolome
Ma