* * * * *

It is now openly stated in Havana that General Weyler is to leave Cuba as soon as it has been definitely settled what leader is to take his place.

Having failed in all his attempts to pacify the island, General Weyler was seized with a great idea the other day.  He decided to meet Gomez and discuss the making of peace on the terms of Home Rule for Cuba.

General Weyler has frequently tried to obtain an interview with Gomez, but has not been successful.  Since the killing of Maceo the Cuban leaders have been very careful how they trusted themselves in the hands of their treacherous foe.

On this occasion General Weyler sent his messenger to Gomez, with a very polite request.

Gomez, however, wasted neither time nor politeness over his reply.

“Tell your general,” he said to the messenger, “that I do not consider him a man of honor, and that he has lowered himself too deeply to be on a level where he can confer with me.”

The insurgents are in great numbers around Havana, and are making constant attacks on the suburbs of that city.

Their force is now so strong that no one can leave the city by land, and no provisions can be brought into it.

It was decided that an army should be led against the besiegers, and General Weyler (having been commanded to do so from Madrid) decided to lead this army himself.

He found himself so hemmed in by insurgents that he was unable to leave the city except by boat, as all the roads are now in the hands of the Cubans.

* * * * *

The results of the military bicycle trial on Long Island were most satisfactory.

The company started out with thirty-two men, and arrived home with twenty-eight, three having been sent back on business, the fourth man being the only one whose wheel was too badly damaged to be ridden.

The company travelled three hundred and ninety-eight out of the five hundred miles planned.  The rest of the distance could not be made on account of the dreadful weather.

It rained every day of the trip, and the soldiers had to contend with muddy roads from start to finish.

In spite of these drawbacks the expedition was a complete success, and it is said that it will prove of the greatest value from a military standpoint.

The bicycle ambulance had to be abandoned on the second day out, as it was unsuited to the heavy roads over which the troop had to travel.

The accidents to the wheels were:  ten rims broken, seven tires punctured, twenty spokes, two bearings, a handle-bar, and a pedal broken.

Happily there were two bicycle machinists in the party and they were able to make the necessary repairs, so that all the wheels were usable throughout the entire trip except one, which was so badly broken that the rider had to leave the company.