New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-12
PRICE THREE CENTS.
SPAIN ANXIOUS FOR PEACE.
ASSURANCES GIVEN EY HER NEW MIN
ISTER IN WASHINGTON.

HONORABLE ~ ITS POWER TO AVERT WAX
AUToNoMY N CUBA AND COMMERCIAL
TREATY NEGOTIATIONS DrscussED
HE WILL BE RECEIVED BIZ
THE PRESIDENT TO DAY.
Washington, March lI.-Senor Luis Polo a.
Bernabe. the Spanish Minister. was seen
at the Legation to-day. and for the first time
since his arrival, consented 70 speak concerning
Spanish affairs, observing much reucence on
certain phases. as diplomatic propric,y required.
Since the Minister'S arrival be has received a
cable dispatch from Captain General Blanco
stating that ;he Cuban Cabinet had designated
Sehors Seyallios OF New-York and Bara. sec
rotary OF the Havana Chamber OF Commerce. to
act with Sehor Angulo in negotiating civil
treaty between the United states and cuba.
The Minister referred incidentally 20 this fact.
as he regarded "a as another evidence of the
complete autonomy which Spain has granted TO
Cuba Although Sohor Polo viii be the pleni-
potentary in arranging a Cuban treaty. the
Cuban delegates above named. chosen boy the
Cuban Cabinet win have entire control ot the
terms OF such treaty.
AUTONOMY ~ CUBA
Speaking Of tho present policy ~ Spain in
giving autonomy to cuba tho Minister said.
The Government has granted autonomy on
the broadest and most liberal lines n T. de-
signed 10 give % the cuban people the complete
direction of their internal affairs. thus grati-
fling the honorable ambition ~ the Cuhans
while at the same time maintaining the historic
alegianre - cuba as n colony ~ Spain. The
Government is not executing this plan erudg-
ingy or with any technical restrictions. on the
contrary, it appreciates that the largest degree
os prosperity for the is:and may he expected
the cherished expectations of Cubans loyal TO
Spain.
Already much has boen accomplished. and
there is the fue-t confidence that the plan VIII
be carried into I'm execution. Naturally. with
an lnsurrec,ion dragging toward its close. there
are difficulties in the way ~ a complete realiza-
ton Of plans 50 comprehensive as % embrace
the entire internal machinery of cuba. The au-
tonomist Cabinet is organized. and IN its hands
is the direction of the domestic affairs ~ the
island pending the meeting - the Cuban Par
Lament The dates for the parliamentary cleo
tons and ~ the assembling of the Senate and
House have been fixed as Senior Moret. Minister
Of the Colonies. told me just as / was about 10
sail that TIE decree fixing the date ~ the eiec-
ton I'm cuba was about T. boz signed With the
elections held. cuba viii have FOR the first time
a Parliament Of her own capable q dea ng with
u
Of local government VIII Doe IN operation. with an
executive branch and legislative branch
COMMERCIAL TREATY NEGoTIATloNs.
The fun meaning u this should be- appreci-
ated. The Governor-GeneraL who is the repre-
sentative of Spain In cuba. Wiz no longer govern
IN the complete sense but q would be- more ac-
cura'e to say that he viii r'len unde. the re-
sirictions placed on a constitutional executive.
The naming Of cuban delegates % come 40
Washington ard arrange a commercial treaty
shows how fully the plan of autonomy grants
n the Cubans control ~ their own affairs These
delegates VIII have In their own hands the maxi
ing Of this tarin arrangement and without them
I could DO nothing IN short, Spain has adopted
this plan Of autonomy, believing u TO be the
surest means ~ bringing peace and prosperity
TO the island. and is putting the pl,n into opera
ton with the utmost dispatch. confident that in
the end it VIII accomplish the good purpose for
which 10 was designed"
When Sanor Pol)'s attention was drawn 10
recent critical phases of the spanish situation
be spoke with much reserve. The Lee incident
happened while he was on the ocean. and he
krew nothing. he said. Of the circumstances. al
though he felt confident a misunderstanding had
grown out of some casual illusions 70 General
Lee not meant as any mtirnation that his recall
was demand d.
SURE SPAIN DOES NOT WANT WAR
The Minister was then asked II be viewed the
present condition Of affairs between the United
states and Spain os indicating war. After
moments hesitation he answered sravely.
Il am sure that the United states does not
want war. Just as | am sure that tho Spanish
Government does not want war. and VIII do
everything honorable IN its power 10 avert such
a calamity"
senior P0o's lrst Official business after his
credentials arc presented 20 tho President VIII
be- in connection with the new commercial treaty
between the United States. Spain and cuba lie
comes fully instructed on this subject. and be-
fore leaving Madrid he ralked over the general
pans with the United states Minister, General
Woodford II is not yet determined whether
there shall be two treaties with Spain and Cuba
separated. or one with Spain which shall In
Guide Cuba. Until the Minister meets CommIs-
fioner Kasson he does not care 20 discuss the
heme Of commercial exchange which is under
consideration From other sources. however the
general plans We're learned
CONCESSIONS on AMERICAN GOODS.
So far as the proposed treaty viii affect Spain.
it is probable that the leading tariff concessions
granted to American imports Will be on machin-
cry, ele''fl'dl apPllai'f" 'i "'' h''i'''' "' '''
Gus woods which are used largely IN spain
American petroleum and cotton are the principal
imports into Spain, but IL is not probable that
duties will be reduced on these articles They
enjoy a monopoly IN the Spanish market. and
10 this extent thov receive all The benefit which
sran feels warranted ID giving them. They are
moreover. among the leading revenue-pfoducing
articles and the present rates are SAID 70 be
such that they could not be lowered without
iniurously afo ting The revenue.
II is said that American cotton Is finding a
large market n spain and that IN the Catalonia
district particularly at Barcelona, mammoth
cotton factories are building In speaking - this