shed. Whether the revolt is really over or not, a force will have to
be sent against the rebellious tribes to teach them proper respect for
British power.

* * * * *

General Woodford has arrived safely in Spain, and is to be presented to
the Queen Regent in a few days.

He has, in the mean while, met the Duke of Tetuan, and has been very
pleasantly received.

A great sensation has, however, been caused in Havana by the publication
of a letter from General Azcarraga, the present Spanish Prime Minister.
In this letter the minister says that the Spanish Government will not
listen to any demands from the United States, that no one in Spain
thinks our country has any right to interfere in the Cuban question, and
that rather than submit to American dictation, Spain is prepared to
declare war.

In the letter it is also said that if it becomes necessary to declare
war, Spain is confident that she will have the support of the nations of
Europe. It is argued that if we succeed in freeing Cuba we will be
certain to try and get Canada and Jamaica away from England, and the
French possessions from their mother country.

The General asserts that if the United States succeeds in freeing Cuba,
European rule in the New World will soon cease to exist.

Finally, he says that if General Woodford's mission is after all merely
to claim damages from Spain, he will be listened to with the utmost
politeness, and then informed that Spain also has her claims against
America. But if General Woodford persists in entering on the subject of
the Cuban war, he will be told that Spain does not admit the right of
the United States to interfere in her private affairs, and the
ambassador will be politely but firmly requested to mind his own
business.

Every one is most anxious to learn just what General Woodford's mission
is, and how Spain will receive it.

In the mean while many people are wondering why Spain has suddenly
become so averse to parting with her colonies. Many times in the last
century she has ceded and sold them, and it seems strange that she
should be unwilling to let Cuba purchase her freedom when it is the
easiest way out of the present difficulty.

At one time Spain had vast possessions in the New World. Louisiana,
Florida, Mexico, the Central American States, Venezuela, Colombia,
Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and the Argentine
Republic were all under the rule of Spain.