special counsel to Consul General Lee, with directions to investigate the case, and he went to Havana for that purpose. The report was that, although no positive or direct proof was found that the doctor died from an actual assault, his death was due to congestion of the brain.

After Mr. McKinley became President notice was served upon the Spanish Government that the United States recognized a state of civil war in Cuba which demanded a treatment of prisoners taken in action by either side different from that followed by General Weyler. It was also stated that American citizens pursuing lawful occupations in a lawful way would be held to be entitled to the protection of the law. On May 17 President McKinley sent a message to Congress suggesting an appropriation to be used in relieving the distress of American citizens resident in Cuba, and a week later a bill making an appropriation of $50,000 became a law.

On April 20 the Queen Regent of Spain signed a decree instituting certain reforms of government in Cuba. It provided among other things a Council of Administration, a sort of parliament for the government of the island, subject to certain supervisory authority of the Crown; also a scheme to permit Cuba to revise her own tariff schedules. The decree was the direct result of the announcement by General Weyler that the western part of the island was completely pacified. This was proved later to be a mere theory of General Weyler.

Following the assassination of Senor Canovas, Prime Minister of Spain, Senor Sagasta was made Prime Minister on Oсtober 2. Six days later General Weyler was recalled and Captain-General Blanco was chosen to succeed him. General Bianco reached Havana on October 30 and at once assumed control of affairs and instituted several changes in the conduct of the campaign against the insurgents.

On November 27 the Spanish Government officially published a decree tendering to Cuba and Porto Rico a system of autonomy. The scheme provided that the Spanish Parliament or Cortes should be the central executive power, and that the government in the colony should be the colonial parliament, the colonial chambers, legislative assemblies, and the GovernorGeneral. It was proposed that the Council of Administration should consist of thirtyfive members, eighteen of whom to be elected, and the others nominated by the mother country. The Governor-General is to exercise the supreme command, is given complete liberty to appeal to the officia's of his secretariat, to issue and execute laws and decrees, negotiate International treaties and conventions, etc. It is proposed that the secretaries of the Cuban autonomous government shall be five, viz.: Justice and Interior, Finance, Public Instruction, Public Works and Communications, and Industry and Commerce, all to be appointed by the Governor-General.

On

December 14 Governor-General Blanco issued a proclamation granting

a

Disorders broke out afresh on the Island of Crete on February 1, 1897, arising from the hatred existing between the Christians and their Turkish rulers. Four days later the Mahometans and Christians had pitched battle in the city of Canea, when the city was set on fire and fully 300 Christians were killed. On February 8 the union of Crete and Greece was proclaimed by the people at Halepa, and the Greek fleet reached Canea on the same day. On February 11 the Greek Government formulated a notification to the Powers that the ties of race and religion compelled her to intervene on behalf of the Christians of Crete. The Greek forces attacked and captured the Turkish garrisons on February 17, and the foreign Powers landed their naval forces at Canea and Sitia later. On February 20 the United States Senate adopted a resolution of sympathy for the Greeks and Cretans. On February 23 a mass-meeting of sympathizers was held in Chickering Hall, New-York City. On the same day King George of Greece issued a proclamation enjoining the Cretans to pacify themselves and to confide in the efforts of Greece to uphold and maintain the rights of the Hellenic people. On February 24 the Governor's palace at Canea was burned; the Powers ordered Greece to withdraw her army of occupation, and Queen Olga of Greece returned her Russian insignia. King George replied to the demands of the Powers on the following day that it was impossible to withdraw the troops from Crete.

On February 25 Lord Salisbury, Premier of Great Britain, presented a scheme of autonomy for Crete, which Turkey opposed. The Cretans rejected it three days later, and pleaded for union with Greece. The Greek Government, on March 8, sent word to the Powers that it was doubtful that autonomy could fulfil their aim, and requested that the Cretans be permitted to declare their preference of government. On May 21 the Cretan insurgents were advised by the Greek Government to accept autonomy on condition that the Turkish troops should be previously withdrawn from the island. On the same day the Mussulmans telegraphed to the Sultan that autonomy under the conditions existing on the island of Crete "cannot fail to perpetuate race wars, and will only briefly postpone the revival of the annexation question with all its disastrous conse quences." The withdrawal of the Greek troops followed, and on May 23 the last detachment of the Greek expeditionary force embarked for Greece. Then folowed the war between Turkey and Greece