There is a curious rumour going about that some leading-
'member of the Administration in Spain is disposed to let Cuba go on condition of receiving 100,000,000 dollars "guaranteed by the United States,"—to which there is a pendant in the form of another rumour that the Government of President Grant has decided to acknowledge the belligerency of the Cuban insurgents before the next meeting of Congress. Both, we suppose, are expressions of a general expectation that the United States would like to have Cuba,—either by buying or taking. Are sincerely doubt whether that really is the popular view, and whether Con- gress would ratify the purchase even if President Grant negotiated it. What do the United States want with another great and dis- ordered Negro State to complicate the elements of their present confusion? If the sea were to swallow up Alabama or Mississippi, or both, undoubtedly the political problems before the Union would be far simpler than they are. While it continues to roll between Cuba and the continent, we doubt very much whether the American people will show the least desire to ignore it.
