f these horrors, but he is determined to
be sure that he knows the truth of the matter before he takes any
decisive action.

He has sent Mr. Calhoun to Cuba to investigate the cause of the death of
Dr. Ricardo Ruiz, who died or was killed in the prison of Guanabacoa, as
we told you in THE GREAT ROUND WORLD, NO. 19.

While he is in the island on this business, Mr. Calhoun is also to make
notes of the general condition of things, and the President will be
guided in his future Cuban policy by the report Mr. Calhoun makes.

There is a very grave reason why it is necessary for the President to
take some action on Cuba at this moment. Diseases of the most serious
kind have broken out in Cuba, and it is feared that they may be carried
into our own country, unless some steps are taken to prevent them.

As we have said, no attempt has been made to protect, feed, or house the
people who have been brought into the towns; and the overcrowding and
hunger and misery have produced every form of fever and sickness, from
which these poor unfortunates are dying in great numbers.

The best way to prevent the spreading of these diseases is to stop the
causes that give rise to them. It may therefore be necessary, for the
protection of this country, that the President take some steps to put an
end to the struggle in Cuba.

* * * * *

There is as yet no settlement of the trouble between Greece and Turkey.

When the Greeks decided to put their affairs in the hands of Europe, the
Powers sent to Turkey, asking her on what terms she would make peace,
and if she would grant an armistice while the matter was being
discussed.

An armistice means that both sides agree to cease fighting for a certain
time which has been agreed upon between them.

After the delay of a week, during which the Turks kept pressing forward
into Greece and gaining all the advantages they could, the Sultan sent
his reply.

He simply stated his terms, and added that he would grant no armistice
until they were accepted.

Instead of demanding $15,000,000 and certain points in Thessaly, as it
was supposed he would do, he said that he must have $50,000,000 for his
war expenses, and the whole of Thessaly.

The dismay in Europe over the reply of the Sultan would have been comic,
if the poor Greeks had not been suffering so severely from the muddle
the Powers had made of the whole business.

The Powers supposed that Turkey would he will