The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-12

POLO is OPTIMISTIC.
Spsis's New Minister Boasts Of the
Plan Of Autonomy.
! ne SAYS IT IS BROAD AND LIBERAL.
Declares that the Insurrection Is
Drawing to Close.
WORKING ON RECIPROCITY,
WORKING ON RECIPROCITY
Outline OF the Mnin Textures in the
Proposed Treaty between spain
and the United states.

Y. Bernabe, new Spanish minister, was
seen today by an Associated Press reporter
and for the first time since his arrival con
scented to speak concerning Spanish affairs.
observing such reticence on certain phases
as diplomatic propriety required
Since the minister's arrival he has re-
ceiyed d cablegram from Captain General
Blanco stating that the Cuban cabinet had
designated Seniors Sevallios of New York
and Baiila, secretary OF the Havana cham
Der OF commerce, to act with Senior Augula
in negotiating n commercial treaty be-
tween tho United States and Cuba. The
minister referred incidentally TO this fact.
as he regarded 1t 40 another evidence OF
the complete autonomy which Spain had
granted TO Cuba Although Senior Polo will
be the plenipotentiary Ia arranginSn Gu
ban treaty, the Cuban delegates above
famed by the cabinet VIII have entire con-
troll Of the terms OF such treaty.
Speaking OF the present policy OF Spain
In giving autonomy TO Cuba, the minister
said:
.'The govern mcnt has granted autonomy
on the broadcast and most iiDAai ines III
Is designed TO give to the Cunan people tho
complete direction OF their internal AFFAIRS.
thus gratifying the honorable ambition OF
the Cubans, while at the same Time main
taining the historic allegiance OF Cuba as
q colony of Spain.
The government is not executing the
plan gIudgingly or With any technical re-
strictons. On the contrary, 1t appreciates
that the largest degree OF prosperity for inc
island may be expected from such meas
tia, nnprt sltfs1
expectations of Cubans loyal to Spain. NJ
ready much has been accomplished. and
there is the fullest confidence that the plan
win be carried Into full execution. Natu-
rally with the lnsurrection dragging toward
IT'S close there are difficulties In the way of
O complete realization Of plaus 30 compre-
henslye aB 10 embrace the entire internal
machinery OF Cuba. The autonomlst cabi-
net is organized and its hand Is directing
The affairs of the island pending the meet
Ing OF parliament The date for the parlta
mcntary elections aud for the assenlbdge
Of the senate and house baye been liked, ia
Senior Moret, minister OF the colonies. told
no. just as was about 10 sail that the de-
.roe fixing the date OF the election III Cuba
VAS about to be signed.
with the elections held Cuba Will have
Tor The first time u parliament OF her own
capable of dealing with all her domestic
affairs. Thus n complete plan OF local gov
eminent will be in operation with an ex-
fcutiye branch and u Legislative branch.
1.-The full meaniug at this should he mp.
preciated. The governor general, who ID
the representative of Spain In Cuba, Will no
longer govern IN the complete sense. but Il
will be more accurate to say hp$Will reign
under the restrictions placed, OF the execp-
tive. The naming OF Cuban delegates TO
como to Washington and arrange n com
mercial treaty shows how fully tho plan OF
a ID
their own affairs. These delegates Will have
in their own hands the making OF this
tariif, In short, Spain has adopted this
plan Of autonomy. believing Il to he the
surest means Of bringing peace and pros
perlty to the island, and is putting the plan
into operation with the utmost dispatch.
confident that In the end Il VIII accomplish
the good purpose for witch IL WIS de-
signed"
When Senior Polo's attention was drawn
to the recent critical phases of tho Spanish
situation he spoke with much reserve. Tho
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 an intimation that his recall was desired.
The minister was then asked II he viewed
the present condition OF affairs between the
United States and Spain as indicating war
After moments hesitation he answered
gravely:
Il am sure that the United States does
not want war, Just as l an sure that the
(, Spanish government does not want war
and Will do everything honorable in It's
power 10 avert such a calamity"
Senior Pnlo's first official business after
his credentials are presented to the presi-
dent will be In connection with the new
commercial treaty between the United
Nm fnu In md fv,,lx, A.
instructed on this subject and before leay-
Ing Madrid he talked over the several plaus
with the United States minister. Mr. Wood
ford, II is not vel determined whether
there shall be two treaties with Spain ana
Cuba separately or one with Spain which
shall include Cuba. Until the minister
meets our reciprocity commissioner. Mr..
kaFson. no does not care 10 discuss The
the scheme of commercial legislation which
IL under consideration. From othti
SOURCES however. the general plans wore
learned. So far as the proposed treaty
VIII anect Spain, II Is probable that the
loading tarin concessions granted to Amer
loan Imports will be on machinery elec.
trtcal appliances OF all kinds and various
woods which are used largely In Spain.
american petroleum and cotton are III,
principal American imports bur 1t IN not
pFopabie that the duties will be reduced
on these articles They enjoy a monopoly
n the Spanish market and TO this extent
3 they receive all the benefit which SPAR
ieeis Warranted In giving them. They ar,
moreover among the leading revenue pro
aNcera and the present rates are said /,
be such that they could not he loware,
without injnriously affecting the revenue
~ this connection II Is said thar American
cotton Is hndlng a large market In Spair
ana thnt In the Catalonia district, particu
larry at barcelona, mammoth cotton fac
tories are building,
IN Speaking Of this 70 friend senol
Polo stated that Americans would be sur.
4 pfised to know that the output Of spanisl
Asanufattured cottous was now nearing. i,
rot exceeding. the output In the United
States. A. 70 the concession which spar
4 Will make to the United States Its frult,
y NN figure largely
INC arrangements with Cuba viii denent
largely on the wishes Of the Cuban dele,
Z gates, whose views havs not vel been mad,
4 Known 80 Senior Polo. IN one respect. how,
3 evee 6paip Will make notable CONCESSION
3. ~ between Cuba and the United states
Q(ore Spain h&s insisted on certain
I efAntisI duties BY which 10 the cass
(, 2llr NJ ~ supplied thar conmoiit,