The Council of the so-called Provisional Government of the Republic of Cuba, has issued a manifesto to the Cuban people, with an order to the military commanders of the Cuban army, both of which have been promulgated. The manifesto proceeds in part as follows:—

"Though the principal object of our revolution has been obtained—that is, the destruction of Spanish domination—the work of this council is not yet at an end; for the Cuban Republic—the ideal for which we have fought—has not yet been constituted. Now that hostilities have ceased and Spain has renounced her sovereignty, it is the duty of this council to set before the Cuban people the feelings and purposes of the men who made the revolution.

"The entrance upon the field of a powerful and decisive factor, upon which we have always relied, and toward which the hearts of all Cubans have always turned, has put an end to the horrors of war, to the benefit of all concerned. This prompt solution we must acknowledge we could never have obtained. We are grateful.

"When, after a long struggle, the United States Congress recognized the right of the people of Cuba to be free and independent, and ordered the Spanish forces to withdraw from the island, no Cuban government was recognized; but the one we had constituted, though not recognized, was not opposed and has not been opposed. No steps have been taken to dislodge it from the place where it exercised its functions, nor has it been considered an illegitimate authority, which events have dissolved or destroyed for the good of the people of Cuba.

"The intention of the United States was that as soon as the obstacle of Spanish rule had been removed the whole Cuban people should choose a government that would shape the destinies of the island.

"The people of the United States have all along appreciated the fact that the majority of the people of Cuba is in agreement with our people, for the motto of the United States government has been the same as our own—absolute independence for Cuba. Under these conditions the Americans could not take a hostile attitude toward us or consider our authority illegitimate and harmful to the welfare of the Cuban people. We have, therefore, decided to call together another assembly, which will determine our future course."

The Sovereign Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows held its annual session in Boston, commencing September 19. Delegates representing all the Odd Fellows of the United States and Canada were present, numbering upwards of two hundred. The Grand Lodge in a body attended morning service at the Church of the Disciples, Sunday, September 18. The Rev. Dr. Edward Everett Hale preached the sermon, which was entitled, "The Universal Brotherhood of Man." In the course of his remarks Dr. Hale said, "The whole present drift of civilization recognizes the great truth that men must bear each other's burdens. In the first half of this century men said that the eighteenth century was a century of analysis, of separation; and that this present century ought to be a century of synthesis, of congregation. The last fifty years have certainly made good the promise that this was to be a century of communion, of union, of synthesis." He also said, "The duties of the next century are the stamping out of disease; the steady reduction of the death-rate from year to year; the state care of the aged, not as paupers, but as persons who have earned the right to such care by the people." Speaking of the war, Dr. Hale said, "We meet at the end of one of the great wars of the ages. In one hundred days God has set forward the civilization of the world one hundred years. We see the fruits already. The lesson of the war is like the last flash from the thunder-storm; the lesson of 'peace on earth, good will among men.'"

Porto Rico, though hardly a twelfth the size of Cuba, will prove one of the fairest and finest of our new possessions. Though hot, it has no yellow fever or special scourge. Its soil seems exhaustless in its richness; its people enterprising; its exports even now large; its roads admirable; its people prosperous. And now with the open Bible, free schools, and the incoming of American enterprise, its future is rich in promise.

A notable meeting of the almost extinct Afro-American League of the United States, recently took place in Rochester, N. Y. The conference was called to discuss questions of vital importance to the colored race, and the result was, the formation of a society to supplant the Afro-American League. The name of the new organization, which is national in its scope, is the "National Afro-American Council."

The Philippino National Assembly was inaugurated at Malolos, September 16, with great enthusiasm. Aguinaldo was received with cheers and also with cries of "Viva Americano." He read a decree convening the members, and a message eulogizing the army, and thanking the friendly nation, which had set the historical example of liberty. and assisted a down-trodden race.

All signs point to the largest wheat crop in our history, filling the bins to the tune in 1897, of 660,000,000 bushels; and as for corn the 2,284,000,000 bushels of the yellow grains, are quite likely to be outdone in 1898. All this means prosperity to our farmers, food for all our hungry stomachs and a generous supply toward the world's hunger.

The battleship Gloucester, Commander Wainright, that rendered such noble service to our country in the late war, and which had on board several copies of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," is now anchored at the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Now that Hawaii has been annexed to the United States, industrial conditions there are becoming an interesting question. It is thought, by those in a position to know, that it is not a good place for those dependent upon manual labor to go.

The smallest and oldest sect in the world is said to be found in the little city of Nablus in North Palestine. They number about one hundred and fifty souls and have defied the ravages of war, poverty, and oppression for three thousand years.

Philip D. Armour, Marshall Field, and Norman B. Ream, have obtained the control of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. It is claimed that this purchase gives what is called a trunk line from ocean to ocean, controlled by Chicago capital.

Colonel Roosevelt recently bade good-bye to his Rough Riders, with tears in his eyes and a smile on his lips. His men showed their love for him by presenting to him a bronze statue of what the cowboys call a "Broncho Buster."

Aside from the loss of her colonies and the ships destroyed in battle, the war has cost Spain about $374,800,000. Information to this effect has been received at the navy department from the naval attaches of this government abroad.

The French cabinet affairs have reached a crisis. The ministers of war and public works have resigned. The revision of the Dreyfus case has been left to a commission. General Chanoine is now head of the war department.

It looks somewhat as though all the Philippine Islands might be forced upon this country. It seems to be the policy of the administration to avoid this result if possible, but it may be that "manifest destiny" decrees otherwise.

Mr. B. F. Keith of Keith's Theatre, Boston, has forwarded a check of one thousand dollars to Mayor Quincy to be used in maintaining the free baths. Mr. Keith evidently believes that "cleanliness is next to godliness."

General Maximo Gomez has resigned the command of the Cuban army. It seems the General objected to some of the civil officials' alleged attitude of complaisance in the American domination of Cuba.

Sunday, September 18, the Mass. State Society of the Sons of the Revolution made their first pilgrimage to Rutland, where they dedicated a tablet to the memory of General Rufus Putnam.

The coal mines of Great Britain and the United States yielded nearly 400,000,000 tons the past year, readily robbing gold and wheat and corn of their crown, and making coal king.

Another department is to be created in the United States army. It will include the islands captured from Spain. General Miles is preparing to meet the new demands made.

"Red Tape Stupidity," is the name applied by some to the alleged trouble and shortcomings in the War Department, including the sickness prevailing among the troops.

The expenditures for the war are proving less than was calculated, and every revision of the amount required has thus far put it lower than the earliest calculation.

Cuba is said to be a land of great mineral wealth. The land is now occupied by primitive people who are deprived of the opportunity of developing its resources.

General Miles' friends are pleased with the prospects of an investigation. He will insist, it is said, upon a Congressional inquiry, and will give publicity to all the facts.

Senator Hoar again declines the London ambassadorship. The President has tendered it to Secretary Long, but he declines on account of his wife's health.

The cash balance in the United States Treasury, exceeds three hundred million dollars, and is likely soon to rise to three hundred and twenty-five million.

Word comes from Washington that the President has decided to keep the Island of Luzon, Spain to retain the rest of the Philippines.

It is stated that the largest Bible in the world is a manuscript Hebrew Bible in the Vatican weighing three hundred and twenty pounds.

General Miles recommends a force of ten thousand regular troops for Cuba, four thousand for Manila, and four thousand for Porto Rico.

The Catholics claim spiritual dominion over about six millions of the from eight to ten millions of people in the Philippines.

Secretary of State Day is reported to have said that the Peace Treaty will be ready in six weeks.

The election in Maine resulted in the success of the Republican ticket, but by decreased majorities.

Dean Farrar says he regards the "Church of England as only part of the great church of Christ."

Concord, Massachusetts, recently celebrated its two hundred and sixty-third birthday.

The American Peace Commission has sailed for Paris with full instructions as to its duty.

A new alliance is now bruited, this time between China and Japan.

The Spanish army has commenced to evacuate Porto Rico.

Stephen A. Chase's P. O. Box is now 56 instead of 136.