favorite general that they may attack the Cubans or Americans in the
city.

Weyler has desired that there shall be no demonstration whatever, but
the commanders of the volunteers have stated that this is a matter in
which they are quite unable to control their men.

In spite of the fact that the Spanish Government relieved Weyler of his
duties, he still continues to rule in Cuba, having refused to give up
his command until he sails.

He has issued a report in which he states once more that he has nearly
crushed out the rebellion. He draws a lively picture of the desperate
state of the island when he was appointed governor, and then shows the
great improvements he has made.

According to his statement, Havana is in an absolutely healthy
condition, and great preparations have been made for continuing the war
now the rainy season is over; he also praises the fine condition of the
hospitals in Havana--statements which have all been proved false time
after time.

Every failure or defeat that he has met with he attributes to the want
of soldiers. He declares that he had not enough men under his control
properly to garrison Holguin or Victoria de las Tunas, and it was for
this reason that they fell.

He has to say something in his own defence, but it is doubtful if many
people will be deceived by this wonderful report.

* * * * *

Spain has asked for an explanation of the _Silver Heels_ affair.

Minister de Lome has called the attention of the State Department to the
case, and asked why the officers on the revenue cutter allowed the
vessel to escape them.

The collector of the port of New York has been asked to give his version
of the matter. He says that in allowing the ship to get under way before
he attempted to arrest her, he was acting in accordance with the wishes
of the Spanish Government agent in New York, who wished to have a clear
case of filibustering against the ship. It is not against the law to
carry arms, and if the _Silver Heels_ had been stopped with only a cargo
of ammunition on board, it might have been difficult to prove that she
was not engaged in a lawful mercantile expedition. But, had she been
seized with arms, ammunition, and a number of men on board, it would
have been impossible to deny the nature of her business.

If the collector of the port can prove the truth of his statement, Spain
can find no just cause of complaint against us, the revenue cutter di