matter.

At the present time she is able to declare that every prisoner she makes
is a rebel, and to shoot her captives down like dogs, without trial. The
soldiers are in the habit of seizing boys and old men, most of them
innocent of any crime whatever, and marching them to prison as rebels.

In most of the military towns, it is stated that at dawn every morning
one or more of these captives are led out and shot in the public square
as an example to the rest of the people.

To venture outside the lines in search of food is a crime for which many
Cubans have forfeited their lives.

The President is not unaware of 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.