The news of the death of Mace°, the most trusted
leader of the insurgents in Cuba, is confirmed, and both Spaniards and Americans are excited by the event. The Spaniards, moved by causes which we have explained elsewhere, rejoice over the incident in a way which rather disgusts Englishmen, while the friends of Cuba in the Union exclaim " Treachery !" as if they were Parisians. There seems, however, no reason to doubt that Maceo was shot in an almost accidental skirmish just when he had matured his plan for an attack upon Havana. He was a man with a genius for guerilla warfare, and his loss is a great one to the insurgents ; but there is no reason for believing that it will end the insurrection, more especially as the news from the Philippines is most disastrous for the Spaniards. According to a Times' telegram of December 16th, sent from Singapore, the rebellion in the Philippines spreads so rapidly that it has been found necessary to call in the troops from all the islands to defend the capital. The Spaniards are thoroughly alarmed, and frightful stories are told of their cruelty to all whom they suspect of favouring the rebellion, some of which are probably true, the local police being most unscrupulous. General Blanco, the officer in supreme command, has been recalled to a post in the young King's household ; and General Polavieja has been appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief in his stead. He starts immediately with a reinforcement of fifteen thousand men, but may arrive to find even Manila lost. At least, the white inhabitants are organising themselves into a militia for the defence of the town.
