pleasure of announcing that the Spaniards had decided not to hold any
drumhead court-martial, but to keep General Rivera as a prisoner of war.

This means that he will not be shot, but will be held by the Spaniards
until the end of the war, or until they want to exchange him for a
Spaniard of equal rank, who may happen to fall into the hands of the
Cubans.

This prompt deference to the wishes of the Senate looks as if the
Spaniards were ready to look at Cuban matters more fairly and calmly.

An offer from President McKinley to bring about an understanding between
the two countries has been courteously received by the Spaniards, and
though it has not been accepted as yet, it is a great step in the right
direction that Spain is willing to receive the offer amicably.

In the mean while, there is a joint resolution before the Senate, offered
by Senator Morgan, of Alabama. It is "that a state of war exists in Cuba,
and that the United States shall accord belligerent rights in its ports
and lands to both parties engaged in the struggle."

Senator Morgan has laid a great mass of evidence before the House, which
shows that the Cubans have a government which is in thorough working
order, making laws, administering justice, carrying on a postal service,
and maintaining a fine and well-organized army.

Under these circumstances, he claims that Cuba is not engaged in mere
rioting and disturbance, but in an earnest warfare, a struggle for
liberty, in which she should have the sympathy of other free nations, and
be given by them the privileges of a nation at war.