The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 56, December 2, 1897 | Page 7

the other two, one is an Englishman, and the other a naturalized American.
Spain has, however, released them all unconditionally.
* * * * *
General Weyler has just arrived in Spain, and the trouble we were anticipating is about to begin.
As we told you, his ship had to put into a Cuban port for repairs before he could really set sail for Europe, and at this port he received a deputation of citizens, and repeated to them the speech which had made the Spanish Ministers so angry.
He has been questioned as to the truth of the reports of this speech, but so far has avoided giving a direct answer, and complains that the reports are too long.
He arrived at Corunna, but it was expected that he might land at Santander, and so his admirers in that city set to work to raise funds for a big reception to him.
One of the features of the affair was to be a flight of rockets, six thousand in number, which, upon exploding, should scatter ribbons inscribed "Viva Weyler."
Subscriptions were immediately started to secure the funds necessary for this magnificent display.
After two weeks of uninterrupted labor the committee had secured $7.80.
The persons in charge of the fête became a little embarrassed how to spend this sum. As it had been collected from, and sent by, unknown admirers, it could not be returned.
One practical 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 may make him account for the cattle which he is supposed to have supplied for the consumption of the army, but which never came to hand.
In the mean time the Cubans are gaining victories all over the island, and the leaders seem more determined than ever to accept nothing but liberty from the Spaniards.
General Gomez has notified President McKinley of this fact.
He sent him a note in which he recited the struggles and sufferings of the Cubans, reminded him of the blood that had been spilled in the cause of freedom, and assured him again that under no circumstances would the patriots end the war until Spain had given up the island.
A Spanish general has been sent out by Blanco to take command of the eastern army, and reduce the rebels to submission. He reports, however, that the troops under him are in such a poor condition that he can expect very