It seems that our chances of being drawn into a war with Spain have not been greatly lessened by the answer to General Woodford's message.
Every one is waiting anxiously to know what the President will say at the opening of Congress, for it looks as if the time had come when we must take sides with Cuba.
The former minister to Spain, Mr. Hannis Taylor, has published an article in The North American Review, in which he gives it as his opinion that as Spain seems unable to put an end to the war, it is our duty to interfere, and tell the Spaniards that the war must cease by a certain date or we will have to take a hand and put an end to it ourselves.
This article has stirred up a great deal of feeling, and we shall probably hear more of it.
In the mean while Spain has sent a note to the various powers, asking what they would be prepared to do if she should declare war on the United States.
It is said that the European governments have given Spain to understand that if such an event occurs she will receive nothing stronger than diplomatic support from them.
The cruiser Montgomery and the gunboat Annapolis have been sent in search of the Silver Heels, but have returned to port without finding any traces of her.
The number of patrol vessels on our coasts has been doubled, and every possible precaution is being taken to prevent another affair of the kind; but, in the mean while, the filibuster has got safely away.
Cuban filibustering has, however, received a severe blow from England.