The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-13
INTERESTING FROM EUROPE.
The Cuban Question i'm the
Spanish COrtes.
The Determination Of the Spanish Government
Not to Sell the Island,

Ghristmas and Nep Pear at Paris-nperfdt Discourse
Gifts and Gdieics IF the Season-A Tara Sent 70 the
Pope By the Queen Of SpaiH The Sale Of Cuba declar-
ed Ainisterialy, to be the Sale Of Spanish Honorable
ception Of Mr. SouH al Madrid-.Sudden Illness Of Mr..
Aaso~, de-, d.
Thanks, perhaps, to the alliance OF England and
France-to the fine organ music at the midnight mass
in churches full of ubation account Of the recent
PRONUNCIATION OF the lmmaculats Couception-and, II
this may be profanely added to srausss two hundred
musicians at the masked bali of the OPERA inaugurang
the carnival-merry Christmas has been merry well
coined In Paris in London, happy New Year al.
ways In this side of the Channel. Christmas gifts
win have We'd this season with New Years gifts. Al
though sebasopol has not fallen, brilliant series Of
festivities win follow the imperial discourse of the Goth
TO the members OF the Senate and the Legislative body
But will my reader permit me to leave for while
Paris and its winter gaietes pious and profane for
Madrid whence the young Queen of Spain has recently
sent to HIS Holiness the Pope gift for the season.
the shape Of costly tiara-costy enough, when
slider the state Of the Spanish fnances9
VIII the Spanish treasury be replenisled out OF the
superabundance Of the treasury Of the United States
VIII the millions of American dollars which, according
to public rumor ready to be paid for Cuba
the sale Of that slands
A categorical answer in the negative seems to be
suggested by Incl lent which sgnazed the session
the Spanish Congress the 18th inst and In European
ayes at least indefinitely postponed the Cuba question
In reply to the interpretations addressed to the Minister
Of Foreign Affairs relative to this subject Luzariaga de-
clared in the name Of the government that the sale
Of the Island Of Cuba would be the sale of Spanish
tself;' and added: We will never consent to II 70
This declaration welcomed by three rounds Of ap
plause from the benches Of the members well those
Of the spectators in the public tribunes.
Mr. Soule, who was seated in the front rank Of the
tribune allotted to the diplomatic corps was" says
letter writer from Madrid almost the only specta
tor who did not join in the applause Nor of course
the American Minister inclined to applaud the
discourse which the Marquis dAlbaia made upon this
occasion.
The Marquis had been suspected Of sympathy with
American ideas account of his democratic views and
of his alleged intimacy with Mr. Soule But the attitude
in which he appeared must DO iucomprehensibe to
all those who have lent too credulous to the
stories in circulation which represent Mr.. Soule hav
ing acted rather affiliated revoutionist than
American Minister It will be explained, however, when
full and impartial history Of Mr.. soules real rclaon
with and parties 10 Spain shall have been divuged
To return to the Marquis dAlbaida: That gentleman
protested shs personal absolute repugnance, well
the repugnance OF the entire democratic party in Span
for the policy OF slave republic, whi,h covets Cuba
only the sake Of rendering the servtude of the blacks
still more Would you,' he exclaimed, ''put
end to American pretensons, abolish slavery in
colonies"
DAlbaidas words it is said excited only sympathetic
e:hoes in the assembly, and while De Ia Sagra and Ooza
ga who spoke after the had concluded suggested
prudent counsels in reference to slavery they earnestly
expressed their adhesion to tho declaration OF the
minister against the sale Of Cuba Olozaga proposed
vote which was passed unanimously and with enthu.
sasm the effect that all the representatives of Spain
united In will and deed in the noble and patriotic sent
ments uttered by the minister"
The question, then, 'sWill Spain sell Cuba 2" admits,
for the present. atleas Of but answer, and that
very positive
What the United States government will do in tn,
premises another question: which time and the Ameri
people must help the Cabinet at Washington to solve
Meanwhile, there remains another question which 1,
by unimportant in wider than mere person
al sense and which has already by anticipation,
sioned many contradictory and erronesus answers
that have taken special pains to inform myself it,
This question is, or rather was, show win the United
States Minister to Spain be received upon his return
TO Madridf'
Now have learned, and deem II just to state that
Mr. Soul has had to congratulate himself upon
the reception with which he has been honored at the
Spanish capital. He has by been disappointed
in this respect however much he may, may not be in
the result Of the negotiations relative to Cubaa result
not Jet positively known, Notwithstanding the ndlca
tons pontedy exhibited at the session Of the Cortss
on the 18th inst.
Mr.. soulc made his official calls upon the new minis
tiers the 9th inst he found Of them at home,
except the Minister Of Foreign Affairs and General Es
partero by both Of whom he welcomed in the most
cordial manner. his visits were promptly returned.
Lord Howdsn, tho British Ambassador, held long In
terview with him, after having called upon him while he
happened to be out three days in succession previously
In 6ne all the malicious reports of hesitation about his
reception are utterly unfounded
The incident which occurred in France-the incident
Soue the French papers head their reproduction Of
the diplomatic correspondence relative TO the passage Of
the American Minister through this country-has won
derfuy increased the Importance OF Mr. Soule in the
eyes Of the Madrid public. They reason as follows
ssThe Emperor Of the French had before made
etrograde step Mr.. soule must then be of i'm
consequence IT, where he concerned Napoleon
III. was induced to yield"
The press OF the Spanish capital overwhelmed 1fr.
soule with abuse during his absence since his return
It has been as silent the grave He exercises 81
said, a moral power among tho Spaniaris which no
other foreigner present possessed His courage and
his intellect united to his unimpeachsbe private charac
ter have secured him high respect, II they have not
gained him popularity. There people in Spain, as
well as elsewhere silly enough to believe that Mr. soue
might be deferred from returning 70 his post from fear
OF being received by the government, or from
apprehensions his personal safety Now II Is posi-
tive that he for moment doubted that the nature
Of his reception would DO friendly rs IL has proved
and furthermore that he anticipated any Disagree
able personal consequences whatsocvereven If he had
those who know Mr. soule know that the anticipation
would not have prevented his return. He appears
everywhere only in perfect safety but invested with
the prestige due 10 his courage and ability.
The Cortes is said TO present highly imposing APP
pearance. The hall In which the assembly meets Is
badly the elegant legislative hall in the world, OK
cepting the new houses Of Parliament at London There
great deal Of dignity in the sessions Of the Cortes,
and the external decency and proprey would surprise