"'Some of these women,' I continued, 'are said to be imprisoned for merely having Cuban flags in their homes. Is this possible?'
"'Treason,' exclaimed the General, 'is always a crime, punishable by imprisonment.'
"'There is a newspaper correspondent at present in Morro. What was his crime?'
"The General shrugged his shoulders again. 'I know nothing about him,' he said. 'I think he has been freed.'
"'Do you not think the life of a newspaper correspondent in Havana is at present a most unhappy one?'
"'I think it must be, for they make me unhappy. If they were all like you it would be a pleasure.'
"'Is it true that thumbscrews are used to extort confessions from prisoners?'
"'Not by the Spaniards. Rebels use all these things, similar to those that were used in the Inquisition tortures.'
"'What does your Excellency think of the Cubans as a race? Do you not think them progressive and brave?'
"'With the progress of all nations the Cubans have progressed,' he replied. 'There are many Cubans in sympathy with Spain, but this insurrection is a blot upon the Cuban race which nothing can ever erase. It is a stain made with the blood of the slain and the tears of the women. It injures the Cubans themselves more than any other.'"