Weyler is said to have declared that to conquer the rebellion he will need 200,000 more soldiers, and a fresh supply of money amounting to $200,000,000.

President Canovas, however, merely promises that in case the Spanish army suffers very severely in the rainy season, he will send 20.000 men in October “to inflict a final blow on the insurgents.”

The report from Madrid says that General Ramon Blanco will be Weyler’s successor, and that the fact of the latter’s recall will be publicly announced as soon as he returns to Havana.

We told you last week that the Cubans were continuing their military operations despite the rainy season.

It is now stated on good authority that the long-threatened attack on Havana is to be made at last.

It is said that orders have been sent to the insurgent generals to concentrate their forces in Matanzas province, and, if all goes well, to advance on Havana.

It appears that the Cubans are making the weather their ally.

Accustomed as they are to the country and its climate, it is possible for them to move their forces despite the muddy roads and the frequent downpours of rain.

The Spanish soldiers, weakened by the fevers of the island, are in no condition to withstand these hardships, and every march they make causes them as heavy a loss as an engagement would.

The Cubans are perfectly aware of this fact and are using it to their own advantage.

There was a report during the week that General Gomez was hemmed in by a Spanish column near Sancti Spiritus, and was in great danger.  It was further stated that several of the rebel bands hurried to their chief’s aid as soon as they heard of his peril.

There would appear to have been little truth in these rumors, for he is reliably reported to be advancing on Havana.

A story has reached us about a certain swamp in Matanzas province, which the Cubans used a great deal in the early part of the war, but have since been obliged to abandon for want of a guide to lead them through it.

This swamp is remarkable for the many beautiful and healthful spots that are situated in its interior, notwithstanding that it is surrounded by almost impassable bogs.

The entrance to the swamp is so little known that in the whole Cuban army there was but one man who could guide the insurgents through its intricacies to safety.

This man, Colonel Matagas, had lived in the swamp for many years, and was thoroughly familiar with it.

He was, however, killed in battle, and after his death the Cubans abandoned all idea of using the swamp.

The insurgents have lately been joined by a South American named Avelino Rosas, to whom General Gomez confided the leadership of a portion of the army.

This man set himself to learn the secret of the swamp, and after much patient work discovered it.  He immediately devised a means of putting it to military use, and has besides established a number of Cuban hospitals in its depths, confident that they will there be safe from molestation by the Spaniards.