The latest news from India is of a most encouraging nature.
It is supposed that the announcement made by the British Government that they mean to send a strong force to punish the rebellious tribes has had a good effect.
The Afridis are reported to have held a council of war, and have decided to return to their homes and gather in their harvests. The head men of the tribe are said to be responsible for this decision, because they made a strong stand against the continuation of the war.
It is probable that the reason of their return to their homes is not altogether because of their harvests, but that other tribes which had agreed to join in the uprising have become alarmed at the action of the British, and, fearful lest they too may come in for punishment, have refused to take any part in the border war.
Haddah Mullah, the mad priest who is accused of having incited the tribes to rebel in the first instance, has also given in. It is said that he has dispersed his followers of the Swati tribe, and that they have returned to their homes.
The Mullah had been gathering forces together for an attack on Peshawar, a strong British fort. To make his attempt successful he needed more men than he had under his command; he therefore ordered a tribe called the Mohmands to join him, and marched toward Peshawar, expecting to meet them on the way.
When he and his followers arrived at the meeting-place, he found to his dismay that instead of the host of warriors he had expected, there was only a messenger from the chief of the Mohmands, who told him in very plain terms that they would have nothing to do with either the revolt or the attack on Peshawar.
On hearing this it is said that the Mullah was so discouraged that he refused to lead the Swatis anymore, and ordered his followers to go back to their homes.
If this report be indeed true, the worst of the rebellion is undoubtedly over, for the Haddah Mullah was the most dangerous enemy the British had to fear in the frontier war. By preying upon the superstitions of the tribe he had obtained such an influence over them that they regarded him as a prophet and obeyed his slightest word.
To make them fight bravely he distributed rice that had been colored pink among his followers on the eve of a battle, and assured them that all who carried it would pass through the fiercest battle without a wound or scratch.
On one occasion when the rice had been handed round from man to man it was found after the fight was over that the Mullah's hand was very badly cut. His followers began to murmur, and wonder how the giver of this charmed rice could himself be wounded in battle. The Mullah was, however, smart enough to invent a story about having seized a bayonet and purposely cut himself. His simple followers believed him, and continued to use the wonderful rice.
The withdrawal of this crafty priest from active opposition will be a great assistance to the British cause, which has also been greatly strengthened during the last few days by the friendly attitude of the Ameer of Afghanistan.
We told you how the British suspected that this ruler had helped to stir up the rebellion: at one time it was decided to send him another letter, calling him sharply to account for his double dealing.
Before any such action could be taken, news was brought that the Ameer had caused the arrest of forty important tribesmen, who were supposed to have assisted the mad Mullah in rousing the people against the British.
This action has had such an excellent effect on the tribes that many people suppose Great Britain's frontier war is over.
The English have still a great deal to do on the borders of Afghanistan. For the sake of their future power in India they dare not let the natives think they can rebel against England without being severely punished. Whether the revolt is really over or not, a force will have to be sent against the rebellious tribes to teach them proper respect for British power.
General Woodford has arrived safely in Spain, and is to be presented to the Queen Regent in a few days.
He has, in the mean while, met the Duke of Tetuan, and has been very pleasantly received.
A great sensation has, however, been caused in Havana by the publication of a letter from General Azcarraga, the present Spanish Prime Minister. In this letter the minister says that the Spanish Government will not listen to any demands from the United States, that no one in Spain thinks our country has any right to interfere in the Cuban question, and that rather than submit to American dictation, Spain is prepared to declare war.
In the letter it is also said that if it becomes necessary to declare war, Spain is confident that she will have the support of the nations of Europe. It is argued that if we succeed in freeing Cuba we will be certain to try and get Canada and Jamaica away from England, and the French possessions from their mother country.
The General asserts that if the United States succeeds in freeing Cuba, European rule in the New World will soon cease to exist.
Finally, he says that if General Woodford's mission is after all merely to claim damages from Spain, he will be listened to with the utmost politeness, and then informed that Spain also has her claims against America. But if General Woodford persists in entering on the subject of the Cuban war, he will be told that Spain does not admit the right of the United States to interfere in her private affairs, and the ambassador will be politely but firmly requested to mind his own business.
Every one is most anxious to learn just what General Woodford's mission is, and how Spain will receive it.
In the mean while many people are wondering why Spain has suddenly become so averse to parting with her colonies. Many times in the last century she has ceded and sold them, and it seems strange that she should be unwilling to let Cuba purchase her freedom when it is the easiest way out of the present difficulty.
At one time Spain had vast possessions in the New World. Louisiana, Florida, Mexico, the Central American States, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and the Argentine Republic were all under the rule of Spain.
One by one these countries have thrown off the Spanish yoke; Cuba is only following in their footsteps, and yet while the mother country has been content to receive valuable considerations for her other provinces, she declares that to surrender Cuba would be to forfeit her honor.
Affairs in Madrid are approaching a crisis. It is rumored that within two weeks General Azcarraga will cease to be Prime Minister, and that Señor Sagasta will be called to take command of the affairs of State. Sagasta, as we have told you, has very broad views about Cuba, and wishes for nothing so much as peace with the unhappy little island.
The affairs of the election in Cuba are progressing quietly.
The election should have taken place on September 1st, but the bad roads made travelling so difficult that some of the most important members of the Assembly were unable to get to the meeting, and so the business of electing a President has had to be postponed for a few days.
The Cubans say that the first work of the new administration must be to establish a government for peace. Up to the present time their thoughts have all been directed toward preserving the army in the field, and making it possible to continue the war.
The rebellion has now such a strong hold in the eastern part of the island that it is necessary to provide laws for the welfare of those who are living under the flag of free Cuba, which, as we have told you before, now floats over Santiago de Cuba.
The Government has already established factories and workshops to furnish supplies for the army, and about five thousand persons are employed in them.
There are tanneries where the skins of beasts are made into leather; shoe, saddle, harness, gunpowder, and dynamite factories, and workshops for repairing arms and reloading gun-cartridges.
A newspaper man who says he has been through these establishments states that while they are somewhat old-fashioned in their methods, owing to the impossibility of obtaining the newest machinery, the work they turn out is excellent.
The Cuban Government is also providing for the education of its subjects. Free schools are being established