Senor Maso is a dear friend and close companion of President Cisneros;
so warm is this friendship, indeed, that Cisneros has offered to
withdraw from the candidacy in favor of Maso, and Maso has refused to
let him do so, declaring that he can serve the republic just as well
whether he is President or private citizen.

Maso is one of the soldiers who fought in the revolt ten years ago. He
was one of the first to take up arms against Spain on the present
occasion. You must not confound him with Maceo, the murdered general.
This man is Bartolome Maso, the dead general was Antonio Maceo.

Senor Maso is often lovingly referred to by the Cubans as the father of
the revolution.

Consul-General Lee has returned from Cuba. He has been ill for some
months, and has obtained a few weeks' leave of absence in which to
regain his strength. There are reports that he is not to return to Cuba,
but that another Consul-General is to be appointed in his place. These
rumors are not generally credited.

From the Philippine Islands the news comes that the natives intend to
prolong the war until Spain's money is exhausted, and then force her to
agree to their demands.

The main fighting in this insurrection has taken place on the island of
Luzon. This island has been visited by a terrible disaster. One of its
volcanic mountains has suddenly burst into activity, and thrown out
streams of lava in such volume that they have travelled over twenty
miles of country until they reached the sea.

It is said that several villages have been destroyed by the lava flow,
and about five hundred persons killed.

* * * * *

There is once more a prospect of a settlement of the Greek question.

After the rejection of Lord Salisbury's plan, about which we told you
last week, it seemed as if matters would again be brought to a
standstill. England refused to consent to any plan that did not include
the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Thessaly, and Germany would not
listen to any arrangement that did not include the full control of the
Greek Treasury.

The Russian Minister, fearing another long delay, appealed to England,
and demanded that she should agree to Germany's plan, or propose some
other that would be agreeable to all the parties concerned.

Lord Salisbury therefore made a new proposal to this effect. The Powers
should take control of the revenues set aside by Greece for the payment
of the war debt to Turkey, an