The New York herald., 1869-05-07
WASHING oTON.
Embarrassment of the Admins
trati0n Concerning Cuba.
Senator. Sulnner'S Views,
of the Situation.
4 Sinking Fund for the ExtngnisIment Of
the Public Debt.


Complication Of the Cuban Question--En,bar-
rnssmcnt Of the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Sumncr's Views.
The Cuban question IL giving considerable un-
easiness to the administration. Each day il is pre-
seDtlng itself to the President and his Cabinet in
new shapes and under more embarrassing clrcum-
stances. From official sources learn that for the
present the government has determined TO take no
Oficial notice of the troubles in Cuba. The Presi-
dent and the members OF his Cabinet ascertain from
the newspapers that there il insurrecti0n in
Cuba; they accounts of meetings held i'm the DIFF
ferent cities to express sympathy with the Cuban
patriots; they read about expeditions being ftted
out and Of ships sailing with men and arms
to aid the insurgents but neither President
Grant nor any member OF his Cabinet is
supposed to know anything officially about these
matters. In speaking Of this subject to-day the
President said that he good deal In the news
papers about Cuba concerning which the govern
ment as far as he knew, had no official infor-
nation. When the question was put to him
whether he knew about the sailing Of ships with
arms and men for Cuba, lie naively answered,
"Wel, have seen something to that effect in the
newspapers" Having his attention called to the
despatch Of Admiral Hor received at the Navy
Department yesterday, containing an account Of
an unsuccessful attempt to land men and arms
President quietly remarked that he supposed
what HOf said correct but he had no
knowledge of who they were where
they came from. There seems to be a
studied effort ON the part of the government
officials to ignore, in q quiet oficIal way for the
present the whole Cuban business. The Presd ent
does not know anything, the Secretary Of State is
reticent and the other members Of the Cabinet are
not disposed to say publicly what they may think
privately about Cuba. In casual conversation with
Senator Sumner to-day your correspondent asked
that gentleman what he thought OF the struggle in
Cuba. He replied that he was afraid 1t was little
premature and that 1t would not result in anything,
unless the Cubans shoud receive material aid from
outside parties. He would ike, as he supposed
every American would TO see the Cubans succeed.
FIRST because 1t would emancipation 10
the slaves in that island and second, be-
cause their success would end either in the
independence OF Cuba or III annexation TO the United
States, most probably the latter. | suggested that
perhaps IL would aid the Cubans 10 some extent II
our government should accord to them behgerent
rights. Mr.. Sumner replied that there might be
difficulty about that, and he doubted whether even
that would be OF much material service to the
Cubans. If Isabella still Queen OF Spain 1t
might put different face the matter, but there Is
effort being made In Spain TO establish liberal
form Of government I'VE cannot,n said Mr. Sum-
ner, Every well do anything to embarass this move
ment. To take an active part with Cuba
against Spain would seriously distract the
home government ! inquired whether we
had not right to accord the Cubans bellige-
rent rights. 10 this Mr.. Sumner replied that
while we might have the right. the question was
whether it would be eXpedient 10 exercise It,
great nation ike could do almost anything, but
Il must take the consequences Of its acts. lie
thOuGnt that recognition on our part OF the bel
lwerent rights Of the Cubans might lead TO trouble
with Spain. The Spanards not strong but
they were proud and would show fight. What
would be the results Our commerce is not large,
hut tnat Of Spain is less. In this respect she has
little TO lose. There would be twenty Aabamas
anOat instead OF one, and we would be the losers.
Mr.. Sumner went on to say that lie believed the
nexstion Of Cuba to the United States was inevita.
DIe, out 1t would come about Of itself. He thinks
the present contest, If 1t does not result in sub
tiring the insurgents at an early day. will end in
leaving Cuba comparatively desert.
The spanish Missi0n--(sencraI SicISIcs to be
HaIe's Successor.
The President, in answer TO an inquiry, stated to-
day that nothing would be done towards appointing
Minister TO spain for severa weeks lie assigned
the principal reason that Minister Hales resigna-
ton does not take effect until the LIST OF July
learn from prominent member OF the Senate Com.
mittee on Foreign Relations that the President IL
disposed to appoint General sickles to tine Spanish
mission, and that when the proper time arrives for
making the appointment Sickles will be selected.
The stories about his being considered unht for the
place by the President and the Secretary OF state
have no foundation in fact. The appointment of
General Sickles Is favored by senator sumner, who
thinks him well qualified for the mission
~SV Vtsfso uf shrt lAacf
Walker In the Crows--A Delegation Of Cier-
aymen.
The Presidents interview with the masses to-day.
between tine hours OF ten and twelve. was marked
by the prosence OF a crowd much larger than usual
Grant appears TO meet the pressure with as much
coolness he displayed the midst Of the hercest
battles. He always forliies himself with Dumber
of cigars for these interviews. and keeps smoking
away all the time. Looking into the door OF his
Ofice you nee volume Of smoke rising beyond the
outer edge Of the crowd and there sits the President
enveloped In cloud OF tobacco smoke, IA II he
was anxious 10 keep tie would-De confidential
odIice-se NJ u respectful distance. Among
those who claimed the attention of the President
to-day was bright negro boy, who, watching his
opportunity, thrust paper into the hands Of Grant
which read as foows:--
WASHINGTON, May !, 1850.
The bearer Of this, Edward Freeman has applied
W me Tor situation as DOuy SERVANT out seems 10
he more fully qualified by education and experience
10 do service among horses. He informs me he has
been for several years rider at the running races
O the country and has ridden the celebrated horses
Urbana, Morissey and many Others IN their success
fn contests ON the turf. CHAS. X. C0RNWELL.
Upon reading this the President smiled, took an
extra pun on his cigar, and eyeing the negro from
head TO foot asked him why he brought this paper
" him. Because" said the negro, his faco bright
ening up. ~ heard you was great norseman and
thought YOU might want me to take care your
horses. J knows all about them anImas.n The
President smiled again and told the boy that " he
had come about two weeks sooner he might have
gwen him u place. Among the callers was Dr.
Mary A. walker, clad IN her usual "dress reform"
costume, and who appeared much pleased at
the opportunity Of chat with the President
AMER the hungry public had been satisfied deicga-
uon of uncouth looking men appeared In The ante