Weyler received in July or August a consignment of ten large casks, which Sherman himself saw in the Custom-House shed. Crandal told him that these contained mines, which he claimed were to be placed on the west side of the island to prevent filibustering. When Crandal had completed his work of placing the mines and torpedoes in the harbor he was retained in the Spanish service, but when General Weyler was recalled he took Crandal to Madrid with him. In contradiction of Sherman's statement, one of the Madrid newspapers which is known to express the views of General Weyler declares that it has the authority of one of the chiefs of the army, supposed to be Weyler himself, for saying that there are no submarine mines beneath the harbor of Havana. * * * * * [Illustration: THE GOVERNOR'S PALACE AT HAVANA.] After staying for only a few days in the harbor of New York, the _Vizcaya_ quietly sailed away to Havana. Her departure was a great relief to our Government, not because she was a menace to the safety of New York, but because it was feared that harm might come to her while she was in American waters. The presence of the vessel, however, in the greatest of our ports at so critical a time made the War Department realize the importance of protecting New York more carefully. So the United States monitor _Terror_ was sent to New York harbor and will remain there for the present. Work is being pushed on other war-vessels that are in the shipyards for repair or in process of construction, as it is quite possible that we may need our whole strength at any time. * * * * * Last week we referred to the report that a strong feeling was growing in Washington in favor of putting an end to the Cuban war by having the United States purchase Cuba. The report has reached Spain and has brought out the following despatch from a correspondent in Madrid: "I have it on the highest authority that Spain will never, no matter what government is in power, consider any such suggestion or any compromise in Cuba beyond the broad measure of autonomy drafted by the liberal government. "This is an absolute, irrevocable decision. People who suggest anything else are only wasting time and arousing unfounded hopes in the minds of the rebels." Spain's feeling whenever mention is made of possible interference in Cuba by another power was lately shown by the indignation expressed in Madrid at the report that Bismarck wanted the war to be settled by arbitration. The Spanish Premier, Senor Sagasta, refused to believe the rumor, and declared that "No one would dare to propose such an absurdity," and that "No Spanish government would listen to or dream of such a proposal."