Mr. Gresham to Mr. Taylor.
Washington, October 12, 1893.
Original repertory of reciprocity arrangement was signed here in Spanish and English. Inadvertently English alone sent to Spain, which, retranslated there for Cuban customs authorities, contains numerous discrepancies. To correct errors Spanish minister here had copy original Spanish certified under legation seal and forwarded to Havana for official use, but he is informed by captain general of Cuba that minister for colonies regards the translation of English text as official. Evident misunderstanding, as original Spanish text is alone official for Spanish Government. See minister for colonies and request him to instruct Cuban authorities to print copy sent by Spanish minister for [Page 599] use hereafter as official text. Early action necessary, as daily errors occur from use of their present text, which is a Spanish retranslation from the English translation of the original Spanish.