encounter with our fleet ends in disaster to Admiral
Cervera, a revolution is inevitable. It is said that Emperor Francis
Joseph of Austria has advised the Queen to leave the country, but that
she has expressed her determination to remain and face the result.

* * * * *

Lieutenant Carranza, to whom we are indebted for the admirable
explanation of why Spain should not be held responsible for the _Maine_
disaster, published in THE GREAT ROUND WORLD some weeks ago, is having
an unpleasant time in Canada. Together with several other Spanish
officials he has been carrying on an "information bureau" for the
Spanish Government; by information bureau we mean a system of receiving
and forwarding reports to the Spanish Government in reference to our
fortifications, etc. The present trouble has arisen from the fact that a
letter containing important information has been mislaid; he accuses
Joseph Kellert, a Montreal detective, and two other persons of entering
his room and stealing this letter. They are making such a fuss over the
matter that the letter must have been an exceedingly important one.

[Illustration: NEGRO TYPE--PHILIPPINE ISLANDS]

* * * * *

[Illustration: MALAY TYPE--PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.]

A despatch has been received from Admiral Dewey, dated May 20th,
addressed to the Secretary of the Navy; he cables as follows:

"Situation is unchanged. Blockade is continued. There is a great
scarcity of provisions in Manila. The foreign subjects fear an outbreak
of Spanish soldiers; arrangements have been made for the transfer of
these foreign subjects to Cavite if necessary. The rebel
commander-in-chief, Aguinaldo, who was brought here by the _McCulloch_,
is reorganizing a force, and may render assistance that will be
valuable."

[Illustration: THE CASINO ESPANOL, FACING PLAZA, SANTIAGO DE CUBA.]

The first shipment of troops to the Philippine Islands started May 25th
on the three transports, _City of Pekin_, _Australia_, and _City of
Sydney_. When these vessels left San Francisco, late in the afternoon,
the shores were lined with people, and there was great enthusiasm. These
three transports carry about twenty-five hundred men; the expedition is
under command of Brigadier-General Anderson, and consists of four
companies of regulars under Major Robe; the First Regiment California
Volunteers, Colonel Smith; the First Regiment Oregon Volunteers, Colonel
Sum