The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-03-13
SENIOR POLO SAYS SPAIN
WANTS NO WAR.
THINKS WE DON'T EITHER.
Says Ills Government VIII DO Everything
IN Its Power to Avert It-Tho Min
ister Lauds tho Plan OF Auton-
omy for Cuba -- Discusses
the Proposed Tarin
Treaty.

WASHINGTON, March 10. - Senior
Louis Polo y Bernabe, the new Span
ish minister, was seen at the Spanish
legation yesterday, and, for the first
time since his arrival. consented TO
speak concerning Spanish affairs, OBJ
serving such reticence on certain
phases as diplomatic propriety re-
quired Since the minister's arrival
he has received n cablegram from
Captain General Blanco, stating that
the Cuban cabinet had designated
Seniors Sevallios of New York and
Barilla, secretary of the Havana
ch amber of commerce, to act with
Senior Angulo in negotiating a COM
mercial treaty between the United
States and Cuba The minister re-
ferred incidentally to this fact, as he
regarded IL as another evidence Of the
complete autonomy which Spain had
granted to Cuba. Although Senor
Polo will be the plenipotentiary in
arranging a Cuban treaty, the Cuban
delegates above named by the Cuban
cabinet will have entire control of the
terms OF such a treaty.
When Senior 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 circum-
stances, although he felt confident a
landing had grown out of
some causual illusions TO General Lee,
not meant as any intimation that his
recall vas desired
The minister was then asked If he
viewed the present condition of affairs
between the United States aud Spain
as indicating war. After n moments 5
hesitation, he answered Rravely:
II am sure the United Seates does
not want war, just as ! am sure that
the Spanish government does not
want war, and will do everything
honorable in its power to avert such
a calamity"
Speaking of the present policy OF
Spain in giving autonomy to Cuba, the
minister said:
THE government has granted au-
tonomy on the broadest and most Ii b.
/ - ~ AAAANe ~ - htaAE Atu W EiNt llt
Cuban people the complete direction
of their internal affairs, thus crafty
ing the honorable ambition of the
Cubans, while at the same time main
taining the historic allegiance of Cuba
as colony of Spain. The govern.
ment is not executing this plan
grudgingly, or with any technical re.
strictions. On the contrary, it appre.
ciates that the largest degree of pros
perity from the island may be ex.
pected from such a measure of reform
as will meet the cherished expecta.
tions OF Cubans loyal to Spain.
| Already much has been accomplished,
and there is the fullest confidence
that the plan will be carried into full
execution"
Senior Polo's first official business
after his credentials are presented tc
the president will be in connection
with the new commercial treaty be
tween the United States, Spain and
Cuba. So far as the proposed treaty
will affect Spain, It is probable that
the leading tariff concessions granted
10 American imports will be on ma.
chinery, electrical appliances Of all
4 kinds and various woods which are
used largely in Spain. American
petroleum and cotton are the princi
pal American imports in Spain, but Il
is not probable that duties will be re,
duced on these articles. They enjoy q
monopoly in the Spanish market, and
TO this extent they receive all the ben
eft which Spain feels warranted IN
giving them. They are, moreover
among the leading revenue producing
articles, and the present rates are said
to be such that they could not be low
cred without injuriously affecting the
revenue.