Evening star., 1896-12-30
The CUBAN AFFAIR
Conferences Between Secretary Olney
and Senor de LONE.
NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN TENTATIVE
What the Spanish Government Ex-
poets of General WeyIer.
L IL E ID a U n TIE 6 S

Inere were no developments in official
circles today in the Cuban affairs. Al
thoush IL is al least premature to say that
Seror Canovas, the Spanish premier has
formally accepted the alleged tender Of
the United states government to use its
good offices for the re-establishment of
peace In Cuba, there is no question that
Negotiations TO that end are in progress
between Secretary Olney and Senior De
Lome, the Spanish minister here They have
had several conferences since the adop-
ton OF the Cameron resolution for the rec
ognition of Cuban independence by the Sem
ate committee on foreign relations Their
negotiations have been purely tentative,
however, and certainly have not reached a
stage that is binding on either government.
Such consummation. it is said will de-
pend altogether upon the future develop
ment of the situation.
What is Expected of WeyIer
The Spanish government expects that
General Weyler will soon be able to bring
about a practical pacification of the west
ern end of the island, in whic h event, It is
said, the Madrid authorities will accept the
cooperation of the United States govern
ment in bringing about peace and insti-
tuting the home rule reforms proposed by
the Spanish government for the future gov
ernment of the island. These reforms are
said to be OF the most liberal character
and practically establish Cuban autonomy.
The DauntIcss.
For the first time since the present strug-
gle in Cuba began, this government has
given permission TO a customs official to
clear for Cuba a vessel loaded, according TO
her manifest with munitions of war. and
presumably intended for the insurgent
army. The vessel I'm this case is the we'll
known and alleged filibuster, the Dauntless
but the concession that under these cir
cumstances she is entitled to clearance pa
pers leaves the situation so far as she is
concerned, quite as involved as before as
The statutes prescribe that before clearance
shali be granted for any vessel bound TO a
foreign port the owners, shippers and con-
signers of the cargo shah state under
oath, the foreign port al which the cargo
rs to be landed, and severe penalties are
prescribed Tor violations of this require
Hent, including the confiscation of the yes-
sell Some time yesterday the Secretary of
the Treasury received telegram from DE
attorney for the owners of the Daunfless
az JacksonHh hie. stating that the owners of
the Dauntless and her cargo would apply
TO the collector of customs at Jacksonville
Tor clearance to a Cuban port with a argo
Oh arms stating, however, that the oaths
required by the statutes would not ha
taken. The question was asked wbethar
.inuer these circumstances. papers woulj
De Issued. Later in the day a telegram was
received from the collector at JacksonyiIle
stating that application to clear the Daunt-
less Tor the port of Neuvitas. Cuba, with a
cargo OF arms. had been made and asking
instructions. This morning the Secretary
replied. substantially as follows:
III the master of the vessel and the own
ers, Shippers and consigners of the cargo
comply fully with all the laws and reguia-
uons concerning the manifest and take The
oaths required, you may grant a cIears,na
10 Neuritas, Cuba. The oaths must he
taken and subscribed in writing as r.-
qufSu py sections 4l91, 419s and 4app of
the Revised Statutes VI
Inc port named in the application as The
destination OF the cargo is on the northern
coast OF Cuba, and is occupied by tn. Sn,n-
ish Iorces. The treasury officials there
fore, are of opinion that the oaths reouir,d
oy The statutes will not be taken