The paper in which this is set forth is brought to a close with an earnest appeal to the United States to send food to the Cubans for the sake of humanity.  The people say that Spain has been deaf to their appeals, and their only hope is in us.

It is dreadful to think that such distress is being endured at our very doors, and that we are powerless to prevent it.

It is no easy thing to be the President at such a time as this.  Mr. McKinley must be full of sympathy for these unhappy people, and yet his first duty is toward the nation he has been chosen to govern; and he dare not aid the starving Cubans, if by so doing he would bring the horrors of war upon the people he has sworn to protect.

* * * * *

The war in the Philippine Islands seems to be raging as fiercely as ever.

A report comes from Manila that the widow of Dr. Rizal has gathered a company of soldiers together, and is leading them against the Spaniards herself.  She has already won two victories, it is said.

We told you all about Dr. Rizal on p. 254 of the great round world.

He was one of the leaders of the insurrection against Spain, but had been careful to let no one know of this fact.  One day, however, he confided the secret to his wife, and she did not keep it to herself, but told it to a person in whom she had every confidence.  This person betrayed her, and her husband was arrested and shot in consequence.

After her husband was executed she determined to devote her life to the cause for which he had been sacrificed, and gathered a troop of soldiers about her, and has since become one of the most daring leaders of the insurgents.

* * * * *

There is not much news from Greece this week.

It has been arranged that the armistice shall last until the terms of peace are decided upon.  If it is found impossible to come to terms, either party must give twenty-four hours’ notice before commencing to fight again.

Both Greeks and Turks are forbidden by the armistice to gather troops on the lands belonging to their enemy, so Turkey has had to stop hurrying troops into Thessaly.

The Powers are now standing firmly by Greece, and will not give in to Turkey’s demand for Thessaly.

It is said, however, that Turkey will not give back the territory she has gained, and that the Turks have begun to arrange a form of government for the towns of Thessaly, and are acting very much as if the province was already theirs.

The Ministers who represent the various nations of Europe are holding daily meetings, and consulting as to the terms of peace; but until they arrive at some decision we must wait to know the fate of Greece.

* * * * *

The striking tailors have not gone back to work yet.  Most of them have been brave enough to stay out and resist the temptation offered them by the masters to go back to work at the old terms.