The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-04

Two German journals. the Cologne Gazette and
the kolner Zsitung, contain letters from their
respondents at Madrid, stating that proposition
had been laid before and debated in the Council of
State of Spain, to cede Cuba to Britain for $780,
100000, sum that would afford an interest equal
10 the revenue now paid by Cuba TO Spain. The
quarters in which this story appears do not, in our
estimation, enhance its probability. How the cor
respondents of German newspapers could obtain
access to the proceedings of the Spanish ministry
| in council which, like those of other cabinets are
held in secret, is beyond comprehension. If
any member Of the Spanish ministry were rogue
fool enough TO tell the secrets Of his associates,
he would send his disclosures to England, the
country Immediately Interested in the proposition,
and not to some out of the way town Of Germany,
where neither king nor ambassador would see II,
unless he happened TO stop there on his travels.
And how any outsider, a mere letter writer Tor
provincial German newspaper, could learn all these
| secret proceedings OF a national cabinet, lie the
most wonderful part of the story. Ii is too much
like the letters from Washington about cabinet &C.
Crets, picked up in barber shops to obtain implicit
reliance from
Neither the Spanish crown, nor the Spanish min
isry, nor the Spanish people, would tolerate such
the proposition is that Spain expects to lose Cuba
by invasion from the United States, and therefore
would save money by selling ii to England. Spain
well knows that, in the United States. however
eager for the acquisition the rowing part of the
South may be, its planting interest, and MAORI
~ of the North. Middle and West, will not be bur
dened with any such expensive acquisition. An
lSidIuJ COHStNuly bldnuluX army 10
keep ita slaves in subection, and navf W guard
1t from being nest or prey Of piratcT, $sld re-
quire more taxation from the States II ~ sstbsn
1t willing to bear. We have already urged other
objections against this acquisition, which place il
entirely out of the question with the United States
Therefore Spain can entertain no apprehensions of
further trouble in Cuba from country, and.
consequently. can have no such inducement for
selling il to Britain. And the loyalty of the Gu
bans to Spain, founded upon origin, language,
laws, traditions, habits, manners, and mortal hu-
tired OF Anglo. Saxondom, affords Spain no ankle
ties about independence Besides, the shareholders
OF Cuba need the army and navy Of Spain for secu-
rity against servile insurrections and pirates
Would the Cubans quietly submit to this trans
Ter: Not exactly. Indignant at such return for
their loyalty, and detestng the English they would
proclaim their own independence, saying that if
not SPANISH they must be Cuban, and that while
able TO fight for their independence, they would not
be sold like flock of sheep, especially TO here
ditary enemy And teould they fight for ndepend-
cncc! hundred thousand British troops could
not conquer Cuba. The people would find for
tress in every forest, every highland every noun
taln-and Cuba is one great mountain-and repeat
Spanish history against Romans, Gotbs, Moors and
French. The British government, knowing all
this, are too shrewd to pay l50, 600 for the
privilege Of making an abortive attempt to con-
qucr colony which they do not tcant. The whole
British nation could not spare so 600 troops
quer it, and 100 900 would merely find their graves
Britain is abandoning the colonial system because
voluntary trade with free nations is more profa-
bic than forced trade with colonies. She there
lore would not incur the expense of forced trade
with Cuba, and knows that its voluntary trade
would be with Spain, if Spain could make such
trade advantageous. which she could and lrotld
This absurd story is probably the work of some
American in Madrid, who foofishly thinks that. by
agitation, he can finally force Cuba into possession
OF the United States.