to be started by the peasants, in the hope of helping them. The laborers
engaged in this work were to report to the military commanders, and be
under military protection.

Nothing further has, however, been done to carry out this plan, and
indeed it seems doubtful if anything can be done. Spain has no money,
and the Spanish soldiers need food for themselves--how then can the
Spanish commanders supply the peasants with farming implements and
grain, and care for them until kindly earth yields its crop?

General Blanco seems to have unearthed some serious frauds during his
investigation. He has asked the Spanish government to send out a general
named Escribera to him, that he may make him account for the cattle
which he is supposed to have supplied for the consumption of the army,
but which never came to hand.

In the mean time the Cubans are gaining victories all over the island,
and the leaders seem more determined than ever to accept nothing but
liberty from the Spaniards.

General Gomez has notified President McKinley of this fact.

He sent him a note in which he recited the struggles and sufferings of
the Cubans, reminded him of the blood that had been spilled in the cause
of freedom, and assured him again that under no circumstances would the
patriots end the war until Spain had given up the island.

A Spanish general has been sent out by Blanco to take command of the
eastern army, and reduce the rebels to submission. He reports, however,
that the troops under him are in such a poor condition that he can