Evening star., 1896-12-24
Spain Willing T. T. Grant 1t Under
Certain Conditions.
EFFORTS OF 9HS ADMINISTRATION
a New Treaty + Between & Spain and
the UaItsd States.
TWO IMPORTANT FEATURES


autonomous government for the Cubans.
regardless of the action of Congress on the
Cameron resolution recognizing the inde-
pendence of the insurgents. During recent
negotiations Spain has admitted that un-
der certain conditions she would not be
averse to granting reasonable measure of
home rule to the Cubans. She however,
insists that nothing less than disastrous
defeat in battle will cause the Insurgents
to heed such propositions, and it is re-
garded in Madrid as useless to attempt any
of the reforms suggested until Wey!er
strikes decisive blow This government,
however. does not fully agree with that
view of the case and undoubtedly it is
making some progress in it's contention for
peace on a basis alike reasonable and hon
orable to the Cubans, as we'll as to Spain.
Protection of American Citizens
One of the principal motives which have
actuated this administration in the course
it has taken in this matter is the protection
of the persons and property of citizens of
the United States now engaged as tobacco
. and sugar planters in Cuba.
Although the planters generally are said
to sympathize with the Cuban cause in
formation has reached this government
that rule they entertain serious doubts
of the ability of the native Cubans. if
wholly successful to maintain stable and
satisfactory government. What the plant
most desire is annexation to the United
States. but. the administration. as plaiE-
ly made evident. regards this out of the
question, the planters next favor an au-
tonomous government, under the executive
supervision of Spain.
Should Spain consent to allow Cuba to
legisate as to her own internal affairs. the
United States. as stated by Mr.. Olney in
his report to Congress. would consent 10
become responsible to Spain for the faith
full observance of the conditions of the
treaty between the two countries. The idea
of this government is that this agreement
could be made a part of new treaty be-
tween the United States and Spain, the
necessity for which is admitted by both
governments.
The Spanish authorities it can be stated,
share the feeling strongly entertained by
the United States that the present treaty
has long outiyed its usefulness. 1t was
ratified and proclaimed in 1875! and bears
every evidence of it's antiquity. At that
time Florida and Louisiana belonged to
Spain, and a good part of the treaty re-
lates to the boundaries between the United
States end the Spanish colonies which
have now become American states. The
old document has been added to from
time to time in the form of protocols. con-
ventions. etc. but the original remains as
the basis and main treaty. Not only is it
antiquated, but in the lapse of time dis
agreements have arisen as to the text, and
at present the version in Spanish used by
materially different from that in English
at Washington. n -
Spain Would Welcome "a New Treaty.
So far as Spain, is s5concerned. there is
reason to believe that she will welcome a
new treaty, as a means of securing changes
which the present war has shown to be
vital. but, will insist ON delaying such treaty
revision until Cuba is paciiied, in large
measure -at1east. The two main features
which Spain feels the need of rearranging
by treaty are, first the naturaiza ton Of
Spanisrds drcludfns CubanS) after brief
residence in the United States; and sec
ond. commercial relations respecting the
rate of-duty and methods of exchange on
the sugar and tobacco of Cuba and Porto
Rico. and on the manufactured products
of the United States going to the Spanish
colonies.
The change as to naturalization is re-
garded as of chief Importance by Spain.
which asserts that the protection of Amer
lean citizenship is infrequently invoked by
genuine American citizens. but is used
very frequently by persons who become
nominal American citizens for the sake of
the protection 1t affords and then return
TO Cuba, where they thenceforth continue
to reside. Spain will seek to overcome
Ihis by seeking to secure provision that
Spanish citizens Gncludng Cubans) who
come TO the United States must remain
here for three years as actual, bona fide
citizens before they can apply for Amer
lean citizenship.
Commercial Features important
The commercial features of a new treaty
Will be OF Importance, owing to the enor-
nous trade between Cuba and the United
States. The Cuban sugar export reaches
eighty million tons annually in times of
peace and most of this comes TO the
United States The tobacco shipments are
equally extensive. On the other hand the
nearness of Cuba to our shores makes the
island dependent on this country for man.
u1actured goods, machinery and bread
stuns. Under the reciprocity clause of the
Mckinley law, an arrangement was made
July -, 1891, for a mutual exchange of
goods at reduced rates of duty. Under the
present law, which repealed the reciprocity
clause OF the previous law, the reciprocity
convention was denounced. Since then the
nigh rates on sugar and tobacco have been
a serious disadvantage to the producers of
the island, while Spain has retaliated by
putting in force the high rates preyfouslv
existing against American manufactures
and products sent to Cuba treaty adj
Justment on the lines of the convention of
1871, it is believed, would be acceptable TO
Spain ~
1t Is said that under the new treaty
nothing could be done to restrict fjlibus
tering. although this has been one of tho
most serious causes of trouble deveIoDed
by the war, since 1t Is subject covered by
international law, rather than by treaty
It!den's Will Broken