s in
Cuba.

General Lee has been informed that if the Spaniards were revengeful
instead of noble, he would not long be allowed to remain at his post and
foment trouble between Spain and America.

The consul in Matanzas has been forced to fortify the Consulate in
consequence of the threats which have been made against the Americans
there. He has done this to afford a safe shelter for the Americans in
Matanzas in case trouble should break out.

While the authorities in Cuba are feeling angry with us on account of
the Ruiz and _Competitor_ cases, the Government in Spain has a fresh
cause of annoyance against us.

This has arisen through a despatch sent by the Spanish minister in
Washington.

Senor Dupuy de Lome writes his Government that he has received full
information in regard to the instructions that have been given to
General Woodford.

He says that the minister has been instructed by the Secretary of State
to tell Spain that the United States thinks the war in Cuba has lasted
long enough, and that the Americans cannot stand quietly by and allow
the struggle to go on as it has much longer. Our minister is to inform
Spain that if the war is not soon brought to a close the United States
will interfere, and that, under any circumstances, warfare, as carried
on by General Weyler, must be stopped instantly, as the United States
will not permit it to continue.

The Spaniards are highly incensed at this, and are feeling very
unfriendly toward General Woodford.

If this statement is really true, it is a pity that it should have been
made public, because it has been definitely stated that the President
will not allow any unfriendly act toward Spain until it is absolutely
sure that General Woodford is unable to make a peaceful settlement.

Our minister leaves for Spain very shortly. At first it seemed as though
there would be a long delay before he could be officially received by
the Queen Regent, because the Court had left Madrid and gone to San
Sebastian for the summer.

It seems that the Spanish court observes very little ceremony during the
summer season, and as the reception of an ambassador is a very important
and ceremonious affair, the Queen Regent decided to put it off until the
return to Madrid.

This delay was very annoying to us. The Cuban questions are too pressing
to be allowed to wait until the autumn, and no business could be
transacted with the Spanish Government until we had a property
recogniz