ties penniless and homeless, and exchange
the certainty of dying of hunger in the crowded city for the equal
certainty of dying of hunger in the desolate wasted country.

Added to this, it is uncertain whether General Blanco can induce the
country folks to leave the cities unless he drives them out at the point
of the bayonet.

You probably remember our telling you that when first these people were
forced into the cities, and began to feel the pangs of hunger, they
begged the authorities to give them permission to go back to their
farms, and gather in the crops that were rotting in the fields, that
they might have food to save themselves from starving.

You will also remember that permission was given some of these poor
fellows, and that they started out full of energy and hope, only to be
shot down and killed by the Spanish soldiers as soon as they were
outside the city limits.

The country people have not forgotten this, and it will be hard to make
them believe that this order to leave the city is intended for anything
else than a general massacre. Blanco will find it no easy task to make
the people believe he means well by them.

Immediately on taking charge of affairs, the new Captain-General issued
a proclamation to the people, in which he said that Spain had sent him
to bring peace and prosperity to Cuba, and to extend her forgiveness to
those who were willing to seek the protection of her flag.

He stated that he had been ordered by the Queen to govern the island
with kindness and generosity, but added that the rebellion must be
brought to an end. He declared that while Spain would show mercy to all
who submitted to her rule, she would punish with the utmost severity
those who still remained in arms against her.

* * * * *

In the mean while the Cubans are going right ahead. The important town
of Bayamo, in Santiago de Cuba, is being besieged by the insurgents, and
the monthly supply-train from Havana has again been captured by the
rebels.

The condition of the Spanish troops is something pitiable.

The true state of affairs in Cuba is becoming so well known in Spain
that the soldiers there are unwilling to go out to poor pay, poor food,
and a certainty of becoming the prey of some awful pestilence.

Many of the soldiers who have been sent home have died on the voyage,
and those who have reached Spain are so broken down in health that the
fresh soldiers are afraid to go