The Cuban question may yet become very important. We publish
elsewhere an account of the state of affairs, derived from Spanish and Cuban sources, and it seems to be quite clear that the Spanish Ministry has lost the reins, and that the Volunteers are masters wherever the "rebels" are not defended by the natural strength of the country. Some of these Volunteers are the off- scourings of Spain, they have become irritated by the contest, and their bloodthirstiness so shocks the Americans that opinion may force General Grant to intervene. Spain is unable to defeat the rebels, and too proud to take the only course open to her, that of granting " liberty as in Australia," without complete independence, on condition of a certain tribute to be paid into her Treasury. The Cubans would be willing to grant this, for they have, if we mistake not, already offered to buy the island, and their credit is better than that of the mother-country. The only effect of a massacre like that of the students is to make submission impossible.
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