Havana has been attacked! The insurgents actually passed through the suburbs, and reached Havana itself. They ransacked stores, put the whole population in a panic, but after a fierce fight of two hours were at last obliged to retire. Weyler did his best to keep this news from the people, but, before his plans were fully made, the Cubans made a fresh attack on another suburb of the city, endeavoring to seize a large quantity of provisions and arms that were stored there. This time they again loaded themselves with plunder, but failed to get the rich prize they had gone for. A part of the same force which attacked Havana descended on the town of Guines, also in Havana Province, and about thirty-five miles from the capital. After a few hours' struggle they succeeded in forcing the Spanish soldiers to take shelter in a church, and then they ransacked the town, and took $10,000 in gold from the government safe. Bejugad, another important town in the same province, was also attacked by the Cubans, and with equal success. It looks as if one great effort would win for Cuba the freedom for which she has worked so faithfully. * * * * * The widow of the Dr. Ruiz who was reported to have been murdered in the Cuban prison has arrived in this country. She has gone to Washington, and has laid her sad story before the government, and asked for help. It seems that Mrs. Ruiz has some evidence which proves that the Spaniards were ill-using Dr. Ruiz. The evidence came to her in a most curious way. As we have mentioned before, the Spaniards do not put either beds or benches in their prisons. Their captives must either stand, or lie down on the filthy floors, among dirt and vermin. Mrs. Ruiz went to the authorities when her husband was arrested, and asked permission to send him a bed and some chairs. She was refused. But she still persisted. After many prayers and entreaties, she was finally allowed to send him a chair. When it was returned to her after his death, she found scratched in the varnish under the seat a message from her lost husband. In this message were the words, "They are killing me!" The poor unhappy woman and her five helpless children have brought this message from the dead, and hope, with its aid, to convince this government of the wrongs she has suffered, and make them demand from Spain money to take care of her helpless family. [Illustration: Mrs. Ruiz is received by the President while her children play on the White House grounds] * * * * * The election of Mr. McKinley has brought the filibustering parties no better luck. It is said that much greater care is to be taken to prevent any such parties from leaving our shores. The _Texas_ has been ordered to join the _Montgomery_ off Florida, to watch for filibusters, and the President seems determined to maintain a strict neutrality. * * * * *