and ceremonious affair, the Queen Regent decided to put it off until the
return to Madrid.

This delay was very annoying to us. The Cuban questions are too pressing
to be allowed to wait until the autumn, and no business could be
transacted with the Spanish Government until we had a property
recognized representative there.

Happily for us, Japan has helped us out of the difficulty.

The Mikado has sent a special mission to the Spanish court to present
the young King Alphonso with his sacred order of the Chrysanthemum.

It would not be at all polite to keep the Japanese ambassadors waiting
all summer to make their presentation, and so there is to be a great
court function to receive the messengers of the Mikado, and General
Woodford will be recognized at the same time.

* * * * *

The condition of the Spanish troops is reported to grow worse every day.

It is said that their uniforms are ragged and torn, and they look more
like tramps than the representatives of a European army.

They are said to go through the streets of Havana begging coppers from
the passers-by, and asking bread from door to door.

It is said that numbers of loyal Spanish merchants are leaving the
island, because they are forced to supply the soldiers with food without