mentioned by the President in his Message.

It proves to be very dry reading for all but men interested in the money
market, and would not interest you at all.

He suggests a plan, which is supposed to be a very wise one, for
removing all uncertainty about the soundness of our money. It is,
however, thought that the plan cannot be put into effect at present.

The Secretary of the Treasury has also made a report on filibustering,
which is much more interesting.

Spain has accused us of not taking proper steps to prevent these
unlawful expeditions.

If she can prove the truth of these accusations, she can demand that we
pay her a large sum of money as damages for every expedition that has
reached Cuba.

She would be quite justified in making these demands if the United
States willingly and wilfully helped Cuba to defy Spain, for every
shipload of supplies landed enables the Cubans to hold out so much
longer against Spain.

Under these circumstances, it is interesting to learn from the official
statement of the Secretary of the Treasury that we have done our duty to
the best of our ability.

Mr. Gage's report, like the Cuban remarks in the Message, has an added
interest from the fact that it is absolutely true.