tical friend suggested that one of the committee should make a
sketch of the celebrations as they had intended them to be, and spend
the $7.80 in having a nice photograph made for Weyler of the proposed
festivities.

* * * * *

The promised reforms have not yet been granted to the Cubans, and it is
reported that General Blanco is so annoyed at the condition of affairs
that he is on the point of asking to be recalled.

He finds he has been deceived about the state of the Spanish army in
Cuba, and the dislike of the Spanish party in the island to Home Rule
has also been a sad stumbling-block in his way. These people throw every
possible obstacle in his path.

The General feels that he is in a false position, and is most unhappy
over it.

Spain is expecting him to open a brilliant fall campaign, and he is
unable to do this because he finds himself at the head of a body of
ill-paid, hungry, and disaffected soldiers, who are neither fit for
difficult work nor willing to undertake it.

On the other hand, a portion of the Cubans are expecting reforms and
help from him, and this he cannot give because he is hampered by the
ill-will of the officials and the delays of the home Government.

The peasants have been permitted to return to their homes, and
permission has been given to commence sugar-grinding. But in the
present state of the country this permission amounts to nothing. The
planters have no money to pay for grinding sugar, and unless the
Government aids them it will be impossible for them to begin operations.

The peasants have no homes to go to, and unless they are cared for until
they are able to care for themselves they must starve.

An edict was issued arranging for certain lines of cultivation that were
to be started by the peasants, in the hope of helping them. The laborers
engaged in this work were to report to the military commanders, and be
under military protection.

Nothing further has, however, been done to carry out this plan, and
indeed it seems doubtful if anything can be done. Spain has no money,
and the Spanish soldiers need food for themselves--how then can the
Spanish commanders supply the peasants with farming implements and
grain, and care for them until kindly earth yields its crop?

General Blanco seems to have unearthed some serious frauds during his
investigation. He has asked the Spanish government to send out a general
named Escribera to him, that he