The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-03-12
NEW SPANISH MINISTER
SelOf BeTD1be Interviewed by 0lAS-
S0cI0|ed Press Reporter.
WAS RET|cENT On CERTAIN SUBJECTS
The Autonomy Granted to Cubn, Iao
anys, Wns OH the Broadcast nnd
Most Liberal Lsncs--spokc WIN
Much Reserve Concerning tho Leo
IncIdent-Docs Not wnnt war.
Was aJ.nEton, Mar. IL, 1898

Spanish Minister, was seen at the
Spanish legation to-day by an Asso-
ciatth Press representative and fcr
phe INST time sti:ce his arrival con-
sented to speak concerning Spanish
affairs, observing such 'retlcence on
certain phases as diplomatic propTety
required. Sinca the Ministers arrival
he has received u cablegram from Cap
tain General Blanco, stating that the
Cuban Cabinet had designated Seniors
Sevallios, Of New York and Bariua
s;'c!EitalU1 of the Havana Chamber Of
commerce, 10 act with SenCr Angulo
in negotiating q commercial treaty be-
tween the United States and Cuba
The Minister referred incidtnlally TO
this fact, as he regarded 1t as another
evidence OF the complete auronc,rs
which Spain had granted to Cuba. AL
though Senior Polo will bsr Pianipoten-
tiary iIr arranging q Cuban treaty, the
Cuban delegates above named chosen
by the Cuban cabinet, Wdll Gave en-
tire control cf the terms of such
t,EntGt
Speaking OF the present policy of
SPAN III giving autonomy to Cuba the
Minister said:
THE government has granted auton-
omy on the broadcast and most liberal
lines. Naturally with am n.Surrection
dragging toward its close. there are
difficulties In the way olh q complete
realization of plans so cc,1.prehensive
as TO embrace the entare internal ma
char,sry of Cuba.
The autonomist cabi-'et is organized
and in lis hands is tcoa direction c,s the
domestic affairs OF the island, pending
the nesting of the CubaGa parliament.
The naming of Cuban delegates 10
come TO Washington and arranEE, a
cdrmer2tal treaty. shows how fully the
rian OF autonomy GrlCted to the Car
bans control their o,wn affairs. These
delegates will have in their hands the
making of tc:ts tariff arrangement aEd
without them l cculd do nothing"
When Senor Polos attention was
drawn to recent critical phases of the
Spanish situat.onl he spoke with much
reserve. The Lee incident happened
while he was on the ocean and he knew
nothing. he SAID of the circumstances,
he felt confident st mislrar-
dersrnnd.ng had grown out of some
casual allusiHns to General Lee not
mcamt as any int!mation that his re-
call was desired.
The Minister was the:a asked II he
viewed The present condition of affairs
between the United St,ctes and Spain
as indicating war. AftIr n moments
hesitation, he answered gravely:
Il am sure the Ul.htcd States does
not want war. just as + am sure thau
the Spanish Government does not want
war, and VIII do everything hon'anztbla
in iis power 10 avert such calamity"
SO far as th;, proposed treaty will
affect Spa:r!t it Is proba BILE that the
leading tariff concessions granted TO
American imports will be on machin-
cry, electrical appliances nf all kinds
and various woods which are US ed
largely in Spain. American petroleum
aC:d cotton are the principal Am5T.r
can, imports in SPAN, but 10 is NOT
probah that duties VIII be reduced on
those articles. They enjoyed mona-
poly in the Spanish market, and no this
extent they receive all the benefit
which Spain feels warranted in giving
them. They urS, moreover among the
leading revenue producing articles and
The present rates are said to be such
thaa they could not he lowered with
'Nut tnjuriously affecting the revenue
JIn this connection IL is stated chat
American cotton is finding q, large mar
ker fcr Spain, and that III, the Catalonia
district, particularly at Barcelona,
mammoth cotton factories are building
H., speaking Of this to friend, SenNr
Polo stated that Americans would be
surprised TO know that the output OF
Spanish manufactured cottons was
now nearing. II not exceeding. the cut
put in the Umited States. As to the
conces5:SrS which Spain hopes to Sc
cure in the United States IL is under
stood that FRUITS will figure largely
Th,' proposed treaties will do away
with the Spanish preferential rate on
ff1ur, and will leave the United States
and Cuba TO affect arm arrangement by
which this comtry will hereafter sup
ply the Cuhams with this first neces-
sary of lifs.
Senor Polo was formally received in
his official capacity by Secretary Sher-
man and Assistant Secretary Day at
the State Department at II o'clock He
will be given an aaidience by the Pr:sl-
dtrat at the White House tomorrow ay
IL o'clock.