* * * * *

In Cuba, the insurgents continue to be victorious. The Spaniards are
being driven out of the inland towns, and their real strength is now
only on the seaboard.

Several unsuccessful attempts have been made by the Spaniards to
recapture Victoria de las Tunas, and to break the power of the
insurgents in Santiago de Cuba. The Cubans have, however, gained victory
after victory, and have at last driven the Spaniards over the trocha,
and utterly destroyed the town of Las Tunas. They were not strong enough
to fortify and hold it, so they decided to burn it to the ground.

In one of the engagements to recapture the town, General Luque, the
Spanish commander, again exchanged prisoners with the Cubans, and in a
letter to General Garcia, in reference to the matter, addressed him as
the _Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban forces in the East_. The Cubans
have sent this letter on to their representatives in Washington with
instructions to bring it to the notice of our Government, to convince
them that the Spaniards have really acknowledged the belligerent rights
of the Cubans.

The indignation in Spain over the loss of Las Tunas gave rise to such
very severe comment on Weyler's bad generalship that he made up his mind
to offer his resignation to his Government.

The Prime Minister, General Azcarraga, however, replied to Weyler's
message that he had perfect confidence in him and in his ability to
bring the war to a speedy close, and would not permit him to resign.