The Portland daily press., 1898-03-19
Members of Spanish Commission Ready to
Arrange Commercial Treaties With the
United States.

Washington, March 1S.--Officials repre-
senting the Spanish government and the
new insular government Of Cuba, met
here today. They include the Spanish
minister, who in this instance acts as the
special plenipotentiary of Spain to nego-
tiate commercial treaties; Senior Manuel
Rafael Angulo, special delegate Of the
Cuban government; Senior Leonine
Varela, secretary Of the Chamber of Com
merce of Havana, joint commissioner,
and Senor Cadrana of the Cuban finance
officials have met to open the negotiations
for commercial treaties between the
United States, Spain and Cuba.
Senior Angulo, who is at the hoad of the
commissioners appointed by the Cuban
cabinet, talked freely today concerning
the purposes OF his mission. He said that
mercial affairs between the United States
and Cuba.s
Mr. Angulo said that the Cuban people
desired self government. The present
autonomous plan was accepted by tine
most advanced autonomists in Cuba as
fully meeting their aspirations. He and
others who had always belonged to the
|
that when the passions of the moment
passed away, all Cubans would accept
autonomy as giving them home rule in
its fullest sense. The delay in subduing
the insurgents and the failure Of that ele.
ment to accept autonomy were due, Mr..
gendered by General Weyler's policy.
Mr.. AnGulo said that the plan offered
by Spain was subject to certain improve
ments in its administrative features. AS
these changes did not affect Spanish
sovereignty he had no doubt Spain would
accept them when they were brought for
ward In proper form. Mr.. Angulo stated
that he believed that the Cuban problem
would be solved without conflict be-
tween the United States and Spain. He
said:
II do not believe there is to be con-
tiiot between the United States and Spain
over Cuba, first. because since the death
such that the United States can have no
pretext or cause of resentment, neither as
nation nor as defender of the rights
of the people of the western continent in
their conflicts with The European nations,
because Spain in the use OF its sovereign
will, and following the suggestion of the
United States government has granted to
the people of Cuba all the liberties com
patible with the historical rights of Spain
over the island of Cuba as recognized by
all civilized nations, the United States
included.
"Secondly because l cannot assume that
the wise Statesmen who direct the policies
of this great nation which represents in
all admirable manner the realization of
modern democracy would put in jeopardy
all its wonderful institutions by lnaugu-
rating without plausible cause policy of
military adventure which is incompatible
with any genuine republic, inAsmuch as
| such a policy, even if attended by mill
tary successes, would inevitably lead to
the establishment of might, which is al
ways an enemy of liberty, over right,
which to the admiration of the world,
submitted to the domain of right suoh
grave conflict as that of the Alabama,
will not gainsay its own history and role
in the civilized world by making the
destinies of this great people depend upon