The record-union., 1898-03-02
PACIFICATION OF CUBA.
No Specified Time When Negotia-
lions Are to Be Ended.

WASHINGTON. March 1.-Concern-
ing the report that the limitation Of
time suggested by the United States
TO Spain for the pacification of Cuba
expires to-day March LIST, and that the
Spanish Government was now earnest
ly negotiating at Washington TO secure
a two months extension of the time, an
official whose position makes him COM
pletely familiar with all such negotia-
tions said:
The report is absolutely false in ev-
cry particular. No time limit expires
to-day or at any other specified time
and for that reason there are no nego-
tiatiCns in progress or contemplated for
a two months extension or for any
other extension. The report is an in
vention throughout"
Recent negotiations between the
United States and Spain have been
confined to the proposed commercial
arrangement between this country and
Spain. and also between this country
and Cuba. These negotiations were car
ried well along by Minister Woodford
and Senior Polo Bernabe the new
Minister of Spain. The latter sailed
from Gibraltar yesterday and it is
understood that he has with him the
new arrangement with Spain. There
will be two distinct conventions one
between the United States and Spain
concerning their commercial exchanges,
and the other relating exclusively to
the trade between Cuba and the Unit
ed States.
Under the autonomistic plan granted
TO Cuba the Spanish Government has
given the Cubans the right to frame
their own tariff arrangement with the
United States subject to the approval
of the Imperial Government. Under
this authority the autonomous Cabinet
has named a commissioner to come to
Washington and conclude the agree
ment. He is expected about the time
that the new Spanish Minister arrives,
TO that the negotiations of both agree
ments viii proceed together.
AS the United States cannot deal di-
rectly with Cuba, owing to her colonial
status, the commercial agreement nom
inally will be between the United States
and Spain. although the terms will be
made by the Cuban autonomists and
their Commissioner. 1t will be under
the reciprocity clause Of the Dingley
tariff Act, which permits a % per cent
reduction of duty in exchange for con-
cesSions to the United States. The re-
ductions affecting Cuba would be main
" those on raw sugar, while the equiva-
lent reductions for the United States
would be mainly on -four breadstuffs,
manufactured goods and machinery.
At the Spanish Legation no recent ad-
vices have been received from Havana
CT Madrid concerning the Maine disaster
except the specific information conveyed
II Senior Du Bose that no mines OF sub
marine defenses exist in Havana har-
fcT. He has been informed of the ar
rival at Jacksonville of the alleged fili-
clustering steamer Dauntless. which is
said to have landed a large expedition
IL Cuba few days ago. Senior Du-
besie called at the State Department to-
day and called attention to the arrival
of the Dauntless at Jacksonville and the
evidences of her expedltionary trip. The
Spanish authorities are not likely to
press the matter. however as they say
they are content 10 place such nforma-
ton as they have at the disposition or
the United States authorities, and allow