The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-12
SPAIN'S MINISTER
Is INTERVIEWED
Senor Polo y Bernsbe Talks with News.
paper Men.
lib FREELY DISCUSSES AUTONOMY
Regarding the Present Strained Re-
Iations Between the United states
and spain He Is Reserved--Is Sure
That His Country Doer Not Desire
War.

washington, March 11.-Senor Luis
Polo Bernabe, the new Spanish min
ister, was seen at the Spanish lega-
ton today by an Associated Press re-
porter, and for the first time since his
arrival consented to speak concerning
Spanish affairs, observing such reti-
cence on certain phases as diplomatic
propriety required. Since the minis
ter's arrival he has received cable
gram from Captain General Blanco
stating that the Cuban cabinet had
designated Seniors Sevillios, of New
York, and Barilla, secretary of the
Havana chamber of commerce to act
with Senor Angulo in negotiating
commercial treaty between the United
States and Cuba. The minister re-
fcrred incidentally to this fact as he
regarded it as another evidence of the
complete autonomy which Spain had
granted to Cuba. Although Senor Polo
will be the plenipotentiary in arrang-
Ing n Cuban treaty, the Cuban dele
gates above named. chosen by the Gu
han cabinet will have entire control of
the terms Of such a treaty.
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 lib
eral lines. 1t is designed to give to the
Cuban people the complete direction of
their internal affairs, thus gratifying
the honorable ambition of the Cubane,
while at the same time maintaining the
historic allegiance of Cuba as q col
ony of Spain. The government is not
executing this plan grudgingly or with
TOT,
trary it appreciates that the largest
degree of prosperity for the island may
be expected from such measure of
reform as viii meet the cherished eX-
pectations of Cubane loyal to Spain.
When Senior Polos 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 circumstances.
although he felt confident a misunder-
standing had grown out of some cas-
ual allusions to General Lee not meant
as any intimation that his recall was
desired.
The minister was then asked if he
viewed the present condition of affairs
between the United States and Spain
as indicating war. After a moments S
hesitation, he answered gravely:
Il am sure that the United States
does not want war, Just as | am sure
that the Spanish government does not
want war and will do everything hon
orable in it's power to avert such a
calamity"
Senior Polo was formally received in
his official capacity by Secretary Sher-
man and Assistant Secretary Day at
the state department at IL o'clock this
morning. He was accompanied by
Senor du Bose, who has had charge of
the Spanish legation since the depart
ure of Senior de LONE, and was by him
introduced to the secretary and assist
ant secretary of state. Their arrival
was comparatively brief and the con-
versation was purely perfunctory, be-
ing devoted almost entirely to the con-
sideration of the arrangements for the
minister's formal call upon the presi-
dent for the presentation of his Gre
dentals.
This ceremony would have been OBJ
served today hut for the fact that the
president was engaged with his cab
met at the time usually allotted to such
functions. 1t was therefore arranged
that Minister Polo should be given an
audience by the president at the white
house tomorrow morning at II O'Clock
Ile will meet the secretary of state al
the state department few minutes be-
fore the hour fixed for the audience
with the president and will accompany
him to the white house. In view Of the
sire eined relations now existing between
the United States and Spain, more than
usual interest attaches to the addresses
which will be exchanged between the
chief executive and the Spanish minis
ter on this occasion. These addresses
will be prepared and will be watched
with interest inasmuch as they may
be to some extent significant of the
sentiments of the representatives of the
two governments on the vital questions
now at issue between them.