Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-12
DE L0ME'S SUCCESSOR
SENIOR POLO Y BERNABE CONSENTS
TO BE INTERVIEWED.
SPAIN DO iSRT WANT WAR, HE SAYS.
She VIII Do Everything Hosorabie
In Her Power to Avert 1t.
He Continues--Tarin Treaty with
Cuba.


Polo Bernabe, the new Spanish Minis
ter was seen at the Spanish legation to-
day by an Associated Press representa-
! i've, and for the first time since his ar
rival consented 10 speak concerning
\ Spanish affairs. observing such reticence
on certain phases as diplomatic pro-
prety REQUIRED.
| since tie Minister'S arrival he has re-
ceived cablegram from Captain-General
| Blanco, stating that the Cuban Cabinet
| has designated Senors Sevallios, of New
YORK, and Barila. secretary Of the Ha-
bana Chamber of Commerce, to act with
Senor Angulo in negotiating a CONNER
cial treaty between the United States
and Cuba. The Minister referred Incl
dentally to this fact, as he regarded II
as another evidence OF the complete
autonomy which Spain had granted to
Cuba. Although Senior Polo will be the
plenipotentiary In arranging the Cuban
treaty, the Cuban delegates above-named,
4 chosen by the Cuban Cabinet, will have
| entire control OF the terms Of such a
| treaty.
| Speaking Of the present policy OF Spain
| IN giving autonomy to Cuba, the Minis
| ter salG. "rhe government has granted
| autonomy on the broadest and most libe
raj lines. Naturally, with an insurrec-
tion dragging toward its close, there are
Cnttlculties in the way of a complete real
zation of plans so comprehensive as to
embrace the entire internal machinery OF
Cuba. The Autonomist Cabinet is or
ganized, and in its hands is the direction
! OF the domestic affairs OF the island,
pending the meeting of the Cuban Par
rament.
'The naming of Cuban delegates TO
| come to Washington and arrange COM
mercial treaty, shows how fully the plan
| of autonomy grants the Cubans control
| of their own affairs. This delegation
will have I'm their own hands the making
of this tariff arrangement, and without
them ! could do nothing"
When SenOr Polo's attention was drawn
to recent critical phases of the Spanish
situation, he spoke with much reserve.
The Lee incident happened while he was
on the ocean, and he knew nothing, he
said of the circumstances although he
felt confident a misunderstanding had
grown out of some casual illusions TO
General Lee not meant as any intimation
that his recall was desired
POSSIBILITY OF WAR.
The Minister was then asked If he
viewed the present condition of affairs
| between the United States and Spain as
indicating war. After a moments hesi-
tation he answered gravely:
Il am sure the United States does not
want war. just | am sure that the
Spanish Government does not want war,
and will do everything honorable In its
power to avert such a calamity.
| g Cor . ha affect
SPAIN it is probable that the reading
tariff concessions granted to American
imports will be on machinery, electrical
| appliances of all kinds, and various
woods which are used largely in Spain
American petroleum and cotton are tht
principal American imports into Spain
bat it is not probable that the duties vii
be reduced on those articles. They enjoy
"A monopoly i'm the Spanish market, ana tt
this extent they receive all the beneh
which Spain feels warranted in giving
them. They are. moreover, among th'
leading revenue-producing articles, ant
the present rates are said to be sucl
, that they could not be lowered without
iniuriously affecting the revenue.
In this connection. IT is stated tina
American cotton is finding large mar
ket i'm Spain, and that in the Catalonii
District, particularly at Barcelona, nam
moth cotton-factories are building. II
speaking of this to a friend, Senor Fol-
stated that Americans would be sur
, prised TO know that the output OF span
ish manufactured cottons was how near
ing. If not exceeding, the output in tn
20 United States
AS to the concessions which Spain hope
! +, secure i'm the United States, IT Is IN
derstood that fruits will figure largely
4 The proposed treaties will do away wit
5 tho Spanish preferential rate on hour
and will leave the United States end CUB
- to affect an arrangement by which TN
70 country will hereafter supply the Cuban
. with this first necessary of life.
1 Senior Polo was formally received in III
y | official capacity by Secretary Shefna
e | and Assistant Secretary Day at the Stat
= Department at IL o'clock this morning;
= He will be given an audience by TN
President at the White House to-morro'
morning at IL o'clock.