o remove many of their valuables
before the enemy arrived.

The condition of Thessaly is desperate. The harvests are rotting in the
fields. The peasants dare not attempt to gather them in, for fear of the
Turkish soldiers, who, under pretence of seeking for arms, beat them
unmercifully until they hand over what money or valuables they have.

* * * * *

The governorship of Crete has been offered to Monsieur Droz, the
ex-president of Switzerland.

It is said that he has accepted on condition that he is first to be
given an opportunity of seeing how he can get along with the Cretans.

* * * * *

The latest report from Cuba is that General Gomez has been wounded, and
some say killed.

There was a fight in the province of Puerto Principe, and during the
action General Gomez's horse was killed under him and the old soldier
wounded.

The whole story comes from the Spanish side, and so the Cubans, before
being disturbed by the news, are waiting for it to be confirmed.

The insurgents have been very active during the last few days.

It is reported that they have had the good fortune to intercept a couple
of valuable Spanish expeditions, securing in one a prize of $200,000,
and in the other $3,000 in cash, $1,700 worth of medicines and two carts
laden with provisions.

We are, however, sorry to tell you that the Cubans are beginning to
adopt the same cruel methods toward the Spaniards that the Spaniards
have been using against them.

A coach full of travellers was journeying with the expedition that
carried the medicines and provisions. The Cubans outnumbered the party,
and took them all prisoners. A woman and a little child who were of the
party were treated kindly and set at liberty, but every Spanish soldier
and every man with the expedition was put to death.

If the Cubans continue to practise these cruelties they will lose the
strong sympathy which their bravery has so far gained for them.

Many Spanish soldiers are still deserting to the Cuban lines. The
deserters say that life is unbearable in the Spanish army. The soldiers
are roughly treated, have scarcely anything to eat, and receive their
pay in worthless paper money.

One entire battalion mutinied a short while ago, and refused to accept
this paper money. The colonel had to give the soldiers his solemn
promise that their pay should be given them half in gold and half in
silver before they