Mr. Gresham to Mr. Taylor.
Washington, October 26, 1893.
Sir: In accordance with the terms of your telegram of the 18th instant, a facsimile copy of the Spanish version of the repertory articles to be admitted into Cuba under the commercial arrangement between the United States and Spain has been forwarded to the Spanish minister to be transmitted to his Government. This repertory was signed in Spanish and English text at Washington, October 17, 1892, by the Secretary of State, Mr. Foster, and the Spanish minister, Señor Dupuy de Lôme. The copy referred to has been carefully compared with the original in this Department by a representative thereof and a member of the Spanish legation, and the Spanish minister has promised to have the same duly certified under the seal of the legation and transmitted to Spain by this mail.
A type-written copy of the same Spanish text was also certified in this manner and forwarded to Cuba on or about September 21 last for publication by the Spanish customs authorities. I am informed by the consul-general at Havana that the copy has been received, but publication was delayed owing to the belief prevalent at Madrid that the English text was the only text signed.
As almost all the difficulties which have arisen with the customs authorities in Cuba have grown out of the numerous errors which exist in the Spanish translation of the English, it is desirable that the correct repertory should be published at the earliest possible date. In order to prevent delay, therefore, you are instructed to request the minister of the colonies to send telegraphic instructions to Cuba ordering the publication of the copy already there, which is exactly the same as the copy now sent to Madrid. By this action a delay of some weeks will be avoided.
I am, etc.,