, and so we may have confidence in it.

It would appear that the answer was discussed at a cabinet meeting in
Madrid on Sunday; a draft of the answer was then prepared and sent to
the Queen, who immediately gave her consent.

The tone of the answer shows that the present ministry of Spain is
anxious to keep on the best of terms with the United States, and does
not want a war with us any more than we do with them.

The answer is said to call the attention of the United States to the
fact that since the note was presented by General Woodford to the Duke
of Tetuan, there has been a complete change in the Spanish Government,
and that the present ministry has decided to alter the policy of Spain
in regard to Cuba, and give the island a form of government that cannot
fail to meet with the approval of the United States.

According to this statement, which, as we have said, Senor de Lome
declares to be correct, Spain says that she is now making an honest
effort to win back the friendship of her Cuban subjects, and as a proof
of this has recalled General Weyler, and sent out in his stead a man who
is charged to take all the necessary steps toward providing Cuba with
liberal Home Rule.

The friendly offices of the United States will be asked to assist Spain
in restoring peace and contentment in Cuba.

The note goes on to add that while the Spanish Government does not hold
us responsible for all the filibustering that has been done, it will ask
us to do all in our power to prevent any more expeditions from leaving
our shores.

In reference to filibustering, it may be of interest to you to know that
the work of playing policeman for Spain has already cost us nearly two
million dollars. We are obliged to keep a fleet of revenue cutters on
the watch for these expeditions, and it would seem that we have tried to
do our duty very thoroughly. That we have not succeeded in capturing
many of the contraband vessels should be no great reproach to us. Spain
has sixty vessels patrolling the coast of Cuba, and has only been able
to seize one filibuster, the _Competitor_.

Tho news that Spain means to give Home Rule to Cuba is most welcome, and
it is to be hoped that the reforms offered may be satisfactory to the
Cubans, and that the war may soon be brought to a close.

The full terms of the promised changes have reached us--they give the
Cubans control of educational matters, tariff, customs, charity, and
public works.

A governor