The Captain-General of Cuba, S. de Valinaseda, appears to have
been compelled by the Volunteers to test the forbearance of mankind. He has issued a proclamation declaring that after January 15 every insurgent captured, whether white or black, shall be shot ; that white women captured in the woods shall be deported, and negro women restored to their owners, but con- demned to wear a heavy chain for four years. The Cabinet of Madrid has approved Valmaseda's action, but, we presume, only because he is scarcely a free agent. The only effect of the order will be to compel every Cuban to fight to the death, but we imagine the end cannot now be far off. An armed party in the state of fury in which the Volunteers are reported to be is sure to outstep the endurable line, to shoot Americans, or to make some tre- mendous blunder in the way of alienating friends. The American Government is still pacific, but American temper is rising very high.
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