Mr. Grubb to Mr. Blaine.
Madrid, February 13, 1892. (Received March 5.)
Sir: I have just had an interview with the minister of state, the Duke of Tetuan, at which I earnestly pressed upon his attention the fact that American pork is prohibited in the new tariff, and went over again with him all the arguments which I have used before on several occasions in support of our desire that this prohibition should be removed. I strongly impressed upon him the incongruity of the position that Spain has assumed in allowing pork and lard to enter Cuba and Puerto Rico comparatively free of duty and yet preventing them from coming to the ports of the Peninsula at all. He said that the matter was in the hands of a committee of doctors, and he knew of no reason why they had not reported.
I then suggested that, as that was the case, it would be well to have a report immediately. He said he would write at once to the committee and say the matter was urgent and must be attended to at once.
I have, etc.,