21 NOVEMBER 1896, Page 19

The Spanish people are manifesting most creditable energy in their

attempt to retain the island of Cuba. They have at once subscribed an internal loan of sixteen millions sterling for the prosecution of the war, have despatched still further reinforcements, principally of artillery, to their already im- mense army, and have warned General Weyler that unless he uses the immense means at his disposal at once he will be recalled. General Weyler has accordingly taken the field in person with a corps d'armee so large that the insurgents, according to the best accounts, avoid any considerable engage- ment, and content themselves with harassing his force. Signor Canovas, the Premier, begins, however, to suspect that the country is wearying of the contest, for he has told an inter- viewer that if opinion changes, and Cuban demands must be conceded, he shall resign and retire into private life. He praises the behaviour of the United States, but there is obviously a conviction in Madrid that the Government of Washington will in the end intervene, and, we fancy, some doubt as to the best way in which to meet that intervention.