Yellow fever breaks out regularly every year in Cuba, and the doctor declares that it would be an excellent thing for us if the Cubans were allowed to purchase their freedom under our protection, as we might then be able to induce them to put their country in a properly healthy condition, and save ourselves the trouble and cost of yellow-fever epidemics.
Prince Mavrocordato, the Greek minister who has been sent to Turkey to arrange the peace, has arrived in Constantinople, but, if all reports are true, he has not been received with the respect that he considered his due.
Some little annoyance at the custom-house put him so terribly out of temper that he was on the point of turning back and refusing to enter into any negotiations with Turkey at all. He was, however, pacified, and is now in the Turkish capital, ready to begin work.
The Sultan has announced positively that he does not intend to remove his troops from Thessaly until he has something surer to rely upon than a promise to pay the indemnity.
He has sent supplies of winter clothing to the army, and will keep his soldiers where they are until Greece has so arranged her affairs that he can feel sure of being paid.
Considering that the Powers are to take charge of the Greek treasury until he has been paid, this conduct seems rather extraordinary, but the Sultan is such an untrustworthy person himself that it is not to be wondered at that he has no faith in promises or honor.
Last week we prepared you for a surprise in regard to the settlement of the affairs in Crete.
His Majesty the Sultan has not kept us long waiting for it.
Forgetting that the Cretans accepted Home Rule from the Powers, and that the matter was supposed to have been settled, Abdul Hamid now comes forward with a little proposal of his own.