[Illustration: Mrs. Ruiz is received by the President while her children
play on the White House grounds]

* * * * *

The election of Mr. McKinley has brought the filibustering parties no
better luck.

It is said that much greater care is to be taken to prevent any such
parties from leaving our shores.

The _Texas_ has been ordered to join the _Montgomery_ off Florida, to
watch for filibusters, and the President seems determined to maintain a
strict neutrality.

* * * * *

Matters in the Philippines look just about as gloomy as they do in Cuba,
from the Spanish point of view.

The same story of badly paid and starving soldiers comes from Manila that
we got from Cuba, the same distress from fever and disease.

The general in command is asking Spain for money and men, just as Weyler
is asking. He says he cannot conquer the rebels without a larger force.

With great reluctance Spain is sending a small force out, but it is
understood that she can send no more men, and no money.