The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-27
Our Relations with Spain-News by the Bal
tic-Critical Posture OF Affairs.

beautify humanity.
Our Relations with spain-Nevvs by the Bal-
tic-Critical Posture OF Affairs.
In connection with he exciting intelligence
from the seat OF war in the East which ~e puc-
fish to-day, our fall and CT umstantial CORES
pondences, and extracts fion the European
journals, touching the Soule difficulty and onr
relations with Spain, may we'll challenge the
spe ial attention of the American people and
the government at Washington.
Mr.. Soule had set out through France for
Madrid, in pursuance no doubt, of pan of
operations adopted a. Washington, as perfected
at the congress of Ostend. One of our Paris
correspondents forcshadows, with interesting
mnuteness, what this plan of action is most
likely to be he Cuba question is to be 1aid
before the Cortes, (the Spanish Congress,) now
in session at Madrie. Az appeal is to be made
from the ministry, the grandees, and the in
triguing diplomats of France and England, to
the representative, Of the Spanish people. The
Cortes as constituted Under the auspices Of
the late revolution, hold substantially the exc
cutive as well as the legislative powers of the
government. The Cuban question, therefore, is
to be carried up to the Cortes 1t is believed
that in this body there are at least thirty re-
liable d. mocrats in favor Of the eession
Cuba, and majority of pliable members, one
way or another. 1t is further believed
among the Partisan diplomatic circles that the
present Spanish ministry cannot long survive
the meeting Of the Cortes-that the displace
mcht of the Queen and the substitution Of u
regency in behalf of her infant daughter, the
Princess of Asturias, is likely 10 follow; and
that the cabinet Of the regency will be change
highly advantageous 10 the mission Of Mr..
Soule.
On the other hand, we are informed by
another reliable Paris correspondent, that, il
advance Of the return of SOule to Madrid, al
important conference had been held there be-
tween Gen. Espartero, M. Pacheco, and the
English and French ambass adors, at which it
was jointly determined to oppose any PROPOSE
ton for the cession Of any portion of the terri.
tory of S, ain. This coalition between the
French and English governments and the pre-
sent Spanish cabinet will, then, be the first OBJ
Gle to our acquisition Of Cuba. 1t is evident
that Mr.. Soule has anticipated this impeachment
however, from the fact that he intends to APP
peal from oil ministerial and diplomatic hin
drarces directly to the Cortes themselves.
And what is the prospect In connection
with the critical condition of the allies
before Sebastopol, and the general aspects Of
the Russian war, the favorable moment
for bold, dashing policy upon the Cuba
question, with the Spanish government, ap
pears to have arrived. The programme of
Soule is also we'll adapted to the existing pos
turc of affairs, both at Madrid and at Sebasto-
pol. He proposes sn appeal to The Cortes. II
successful in obtaining favorable hearing
there the present Spanish Cabinet must give
way 1t can have no other alternative. The
next step VIII be Cabinet ready to cooperate
with The C,rtes in the negotiation of treaty
Tor Il cession of Cuba to the United States.
This may be easily obtained, if the Cortes de
ire it and are supp r,ed by the people.
There is, perhaps, large majority in the
Jr,es Domnally opposed to the cession OF
Cuba. But Spain is poor, wants money, and
her tenure of possession to the island is very
precarious aud uncertain. There are thirty
democrats, we will say in the COrtes, to begin
with, disposed to sell the island for good
round sum, including an immediate instrument
of fifteen or twenty millions in hard cash.
From the emptiness of the reasury of Her
Most Catholic Majesty, there are other mem
bers OF the legislative body who may be per-
suaded of the exp diency, policy and necessity
Of ceding Cuba to the United States. In view
of something of this sort, the application Of
President Pierce to Congress, at its last SEES
sion, for discretionary contingent fund Of
ten millions, to aid in the settleme 1t of the Cuba
question, may possibly hove been made. What
ever the object, it is highly probable that he will
repeat the application in his annual message to
the two houses at their re assembling this day
week. Having, too, surplus of thirty mil
lions or SO in the treasury, contingent fund
Of ten millions, or even fifteen, may well be
spared, if with the appropriation we can have
the guarantee of the treaty desired.
AT all events, the plan of Mr.. Soule is, first
to Gust the present Spanish Cabinet, and to d.
what he can to establish that SORT of Spanisb
bis mission. This course, we believe, accord
ing to practice, is perfectly legitimate. When
one nation is in revolutionary condition, it is
certainly consistent with numerous precedcnts
For the ministers of other nations to use their
most active exertions in such reconstruction
Of the government as will best advance their
particular interests and their international
policy with the country to which they are thus
accredited. Thus, in Spain, the English aud
HE French legations have been v ry active in
The reconstruction of the Spanish governmeu
both before aud since the late revolution. And
why may not our minister set himself delibe.
rately to work for change to his advantage
If the existing condition of affairs will justify
The experiment. If he re mains in Madrid
month, at any rate we may count upon
olufsn IN