While the authorities in Cuba are feeling angry with us on account of the Ruiz and _Competitor_ cases, the Government in Spain has a fresh cause of annoyance against us. This has arisen through a despatch sent by the Spanish minister in Washington. Señor Dupuy de Lome writes his Government that he has received full information in regard to the instructions that have been given to General Woodford. He says that the minister has been instructed by the Secretary of State to tell Spain that the United States thinks the war in Cuba has lasted long enough, and that the Americans cannot stand quietly by and allow the struggle to go on as it has much longer. Our minister is to inform Spain that if the war is not soon brought to a close the United States will interfere, and that, under any circumstances, warfare, as carried on by General Weyler, must be stopped instantly, as the United States will not permit it to continue. The Spaniards are highly incensed at this, and are feeling very unfriendly toward General Woodford. If this statement is really true, it is a pity that it should have been made public, because it has been definitely stated that the President will not allow any unfriendly act toward Spain until it is absolutely sure that General Woodford is unable to make a peaceful settlement. Our minister leaves for Spain very shortly. At first it seemed as though there would be a long delay before he could be officially received by the Queen Regent, because the Court had left Madrid and gone to San Sebastian for the summer. It seems that the Spanish court observes very little ceremony during the summer season, and as the reception of an ambassador is a very important and ceremonious affair, the Queen Regent decided to put it off until the return to Madrid. This delay was very annoying to us. The Cuban questions are too pressing to be allowed to wait until the autumn, and no business could be transacted with the Spanish Government until we had a property recognized representative there. Happily for us, Japan has helped us out of the difficulty. The Mikado has sent a special mission to the Spanish court to present the young King Alphonso with his sacred order of the Chrysanthemum. It would not be at all polite to keep the Japanese ambassadors waiting all summer to make their presentation, and so there is to be a great court function to receive the messengers of the Mikado, and General Woodford will be recognized at the same time. * * * * * The condition of the Spanish troops is reported to grow worse every day. It is said that their uniforms are ragged and torn, and they look more like tramps than the representatives of a European army. They are said to go through the streets of Havana begging coppers from the passers-by, and asking bread from door to door.