New-York tribune., 1909-06-20
CUBA WILL NOT PAY
SPANS DEBT HER OWN
Kingdoms Colonial Expenses Can
not Be Considered, Cuba Says.

Havana June 19-Secretary Of state Nelez,
I'm reply to Sehor Soer the Spanish Minister
has declined to consider Spain's proposal that
Cuba assume a proportion of the Spanish ma
tiona debt
This announcement was made at the close OF
what Senor Velez described as the most ami
cable negotiations between himself and the Span
ish Minister relative to Spain's desire that Cuba
assume proportion OF the Spanish debt. ire
Secretary to-day gave out the following Official
statement
The Spanish Minister TO Cuba on May "a 1902
addressed to the Cuban Department of state
courteous note setting forth the desire OF ms
government to maintain the closest and most
friendly relations with Cuba. as becoming Two
countries closely united by blood, tradlt1on
and mutual interest. He said that, while MS
instructions were inspired by the most slHcNi
affection and sympathy for the Cuban people
and designed also for the attainment Of sucn
agreements as always regulate the relations Of
friendly nations he had been instructed to ex-
press the desire OF Spain for discussion OF the
matter OF the debts contracted by Spain on ac-
count Of Cuba when the latter was her colony
Spain founded her contention on the principe
that country separated from another should De
chargeablc with part OF the debt OF the couIi-
try from which il had separated
The Cuban government considered it proper
70 maintain strict reserve regarding this ques-
tfon presented by Minister Soler In 50 courteous
and friendly manner until such time as q
definite reply setting forth Cubss attitude could
be given
question, ~E.ch public opinion in neither spain
nor Cubs suspected OF being still penang. sec
the Spanish Minister and after fully settlnS
forth the views 81 the Cuban government ana
TN" historical political and judicis! aspects OF
the question which was settled in 1898 and rec
ognized by subsequent acts Of the Sovernmeft
Of his most Catholic majesty fSpainp. Sehor
VeIez declared that the acceptance OF the span
ism view was Incompatible with the provisions
Of the Cuban Constitution, 10 which spain hal
assented In recognizing the republic
f1s.I1 III dad
his government vas unable TO enter into negp-
tations tire question Of the Spanish coi9niaI
the desire OF the present administration to assist
in every way in its power in furthering the close
friendship and STRENGTHENING the chains OF a.
lection existing between the two nations oF ar
ranging the treaty Of commerce 40 earnestly Do
sired ny each.
Speaking Of the outcome of the exchanges to
dav. Seror veIe= safd that the result Of the
negotiations vas not fraught with the least
danger 70 tre, arnicabe relations between Cuba
and Spain
washington June 1e-The action Of the Cuban
government IN declining 20 consider SPANS pro
posa1 "a n proportion OF the Spanish dHot
causes no surprise here whore II mas been gen
orally expected that this would be Cuba's atutuae
The American commissioners IN signing the
Treaty ot Paris then made clear that in their
Judgment from no point Of view could certain
bonds and other Indebtedness incurred IN opposing
Cuban Independence be regarded as deots intenaed
for the benefit Of Cuba From moral point ~
view the proposal 20 impose these debts on cuba
/ was regarded a equally untsrsble-
Madrid, June 1a-The tiat Cuba has or
clalv declined 70 consider SPains debt claim vas
received here too late for comment in the Madrid
papers but Il is certain 20 stir In official
! circleE
sehor Besada tn. Minister OF Finance. Is ae-
| credited with the conviction that Cuba would not
refuse consideration the claim On the contrary.
he expected the claim would be settled without
insuperable difficulties. as he considered ao,o9oO
pezetss $50 0Ooon) but a slight return for the enor-
nous sacrifices made by Spain for Cuba's pros
/ perity.
some OF the Spanish newspapers recently pointed
out that Spuin's claim entirely just, but they
/ were Inclined doubt the success OF the plan.