Havana was then one of the gayest capitals in the world. Its streets were thronged with fine carriages, in which the beauties of the island took their daily drives. At night all the fashion of the city would congregate on the Plaza in front of the Governor's mansion, and listen to the music of the military bands. The people of the island were loyal and obedient to the wishes of the mother country. They gave up the treasures of the island in return for a kindly government. In those days Spain called Cuba the ever-faithful island, because she was the only American possession of Spain that still remained contented under the rule of the mother country. To travellers she seemed an earthly Paradise, and many were the stories of the beauties of this favored isle. No one could say enough pleasant things about its light-hearted, kindly people, its marvellous vegetation, its lovely flowers, its delicious fruits, and its generous soil in which anything that was planted would grow. When we think of Cuba to-day, laid waste by fire and sword, with barren fields and starving people, we cannot help feeling that the causes must have been great which led to such a terrible sacrifice. * * * * * The only news relating to Hawaiian matters this week is that Japan is seriously angry with us over the treatment her Minister at Washington has received at the hands of the Secretary of State. It would seem that the Japanese are extremely precise and particular about the way their diplomatic affairs are conducted. Their idea of what is necessary on such occasions is very different from ours, and unfortunately the Japanese Ministers both at Honolulu and Washington have not received the treatment that, according to their views, is due them. Minister Hoshi, in Washington, is so indignant that he was not informed of the negotiations in regard to the treaty, that it is said he has asked to be recalled to Japan. His displeasure has been increased by Secretary Sherman's failure to reply to his letter asking for an explanation. * * * * * We told you that England had been making arrangements with Portugal to secure Delagoa Bay, in South Africa, and that this contract, if concluded, would give Great Britain the control of the only port available for the people of the Transvaal. President Krueger is, however, too clever a man to allow this to be done without making some effort to secure the port for himself. We told you that Dr. Leyds had been sent to England by the Boer Government to arrange the trouble over the Transvaal Raid. Dr. Leyds had a further commission, which he did not mention while he was in London. This was to try and secure possession of Delagoa Bay for his own country. He went to Paris, and organized a company to buy from Portugal certain lands in Africa which should include Delagoa Bay, its ports and customs.