The Government therefore decided that the lease could not be granted, and the Rothschilds on their part said that they could not accommodate Spain with the required money, and so the last loan for the Cuban war had to be obtained from other sources.

Spain is again in need of money.  If she decides to grant a new lease of the mines she can obtain it readily.

If she does not make this arrangement, it is said that she will be obliged to come to terms with Cuba for lack of funds to fight her.

A plan to raise money for Cuba has been started in this country.

A silver coin has been struck off, which is to be sold in the United States, and the proceeds used to buy arms for Cuba.

The coin is about the size of a silver dollar, one side bearing the head of the Goddess of Liberty, and the reverse the arms of Cuba.  Its price will be one dollar.

Ten thousand of these coins are to be ready during the first week in July, and the Cubans have made arrangements for a further three millions to be coined if they are required.

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The fate of Gen. Rius Rivera is not absolutely decided.

He was tried by court-martial in the Cabanas fortress and was condemned to be shot.

A cablegram was received by General Weyler from Madrid, ordering him to delay the execution on account of the feeling in the United States.

General Weyler is said to have cabled back that the United States should not interfere with prisoners who are not Americans, and to have requested that he be allowed to carry out the sentence of the court, because the punishing of General Rivera would have a very desirable effect on the insurgents.

A Cabinet council has been called in Madrid, and the question is being carefully discussed.  The decision is anxiously awaited.

A letter has been received from General Lee saying that food purchased with the Relief Fund is being distributed to the needy Americans.

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The Dauntless is certainly a very lucky little vessel.

We told you last week how she had been captured by the cutter McLean, in consequence of an accident to her machinery.

The crew of the Dauntless were of course arrested with her, and were brought to Key West for trial.

To everybody’s surprise they have been discharged on the ground that there was no evidence to prove they were engaged in fitting out a filibustering expedition.

The Madrid newspapers are saying very bitter things about the United States for not punishing the persons connected with these affairs.  They declare that we make a pretence of taking them prisoners to satisfy Spain, and then set them at liberty to please ourselves.

* * * * *

It would seem that the reports from the Philippine Islands are as unreliable as those from Cuba.