The war is being actively pursued all over the island. General Garcia has, it is said, captured Holguin and Mayari in Santiago de Cuba.
At Pinar del Rio City the insurgents defeated the Spanish troops and took from them some guns and a large store of ammunition.
It is said that a million dollars, sent over to pay the Spanish army, has mysteriously disappeared from Havana's treasury, and the soldiers are extremely indignant over it.
The desperate want of money among the troops is leading to some very reprehensible acts, if we are to believe what we hear.
It seems that some soldiers brought their colonel word that they knew where they could lay hands on $14,000, and they said that if they were allowed to go and seize it they would bring it to the colonel to pay the regiment, which otherwise would mutiny.
The colonel allowed his men to set off on their shameful expedition, and learned that sure enough they had obtained the money. What was his surprise and indignation to find that, instead of bringing it to him, they had deserted to the Cubans with their booty.
While the promised reforms are being put into practice without delay, the new Captain-General is, it is said, making active preparations for war. The winter campaign against the rebels is to begin at once, and it is believed that severe fighting is ahead.
It remains to be seen whether the soldiers will do better under General Blanco's leadership than they did under Weyler.
You will be interested to know that the trial of the Competitor prisoners takes place in Havana this week.