subjects. Free schools are being established wherever it is safe to do
so, and every effort is being made to render the people who acknowledge
the rule of the young republic happy and law-abiding.

One of the candidates for the Presidency is Gen. Bartolome Maso, who
holds the office of Vice-President under the present administration.

Señor Maso is a dear friend and close companion of President Cisneros;
so warm is this friendship, indeed, that Cisneros has offered to
withdraw from the candidacy in favor of Maso, and Maso has refused to
let him do so, declaring that he can serve the republic just as well
whether he is President or private citizen.

Maso is one of the soldiers who fought in the revolt ten years ago. He
was one of the first to take up arms against Spain on the present
occasion. You must not confound him with Maceo, the murdered general.
This man is Bartolome Maso, the dead general was Antonio Maceo.

Señor Maso is often lovingly referred to by the Cubans as the father of
the revolution.

Consul-General Lee has returned from Cuba. He has been ill for some
months, and has obtained a few weeks' leave of absence in which to
regain his strength. There are reports that he is not to return to Cuba,
but that another Consul-General is to be appointed in his place. These
rumors are not generally credited.

From the Philippine Islands the news comes that the natives intend to
prolong the war until Spain's money is exhausted, and then force her to
agree to their demands.