have been abandoned by the Spaniards, and the insurgents cross them at
will.

The Spanish garrisons are now being withdrawn from the smaller interior
towns and concentrated in the important places, principally on the
seaboard.

The condition of the Spanish soldiers grows daily worse, while the
rebels have become so inured to hardship that they have developed into
fine, sturdy soldiers.

If Spain is not able to send strong reinforcements soon, the end of the
Cuban war cannot be very far off.

General Woodford, the United States minister to Spain, will arrive in
Madrid about September 1st, and it is expected that he will be presented
to the Queen Regent about September 15th.

It is stated that he is to endeavor to persuade Spain to put a speedy
end to the war by granting home rule to Cuba.

Mr. Fishback, who acted as Mr. Calhoun's secretary, has, it is said,
been sent to Cuba on a special mission from the Government. He is to go
the round of the consulates in the island with Consul-General Lee, and
obtain an idea of the true conditions in Cuba, and report the result of
his observations to the President.

* * * * *

The new tariff law has now been in effect for some weeks, and every day