No. 131.
Mr. Fish to Mr. Bancroft.
Washington, March 22, 1873.
Sir: In consequence of the continued exaction, in Cuba, of oppressive fines against American vessels, General Sickles has been instructed to address a note to the Spanish government for the purpose of securing such a change in existing tariff-laws of Cuba as shall make the goods themselves, which may be imported into Cuba in American vessels, subject to any fines that may be exacted under the laws, rather than the vessels which import them. The reasons which have induced these instructions will sufficiently appear in the note of* instructions to General Sickles and the memorandum which accompanies it, copies of both of which are inclosed.
You are instructed to use your best endeavors to secure from the German government such instructions to its minister at Madrid as may enable him to make a simultaneous, if not identical, application to the Spanish government in support of the desired change, and you may deliver a copy of the instructions to General Sickles and of the inclosed memorandum to the minister for foreign affairs.
The interests of all the maritime powers whose mercantile marine is in the habit of trading with the Cuban ports are identical, and the modifications which are asked for are so reasonable and so just that it does not appear to be necessary for the Department to add anything further in support of them.
I am, &c.,
- For the inclosures see under title Spain. Similar instructions were sent to General Schenck and to Mr. Andrews.↩