Mr. Taylor to Mr. Gresham.

No. 223.]

Sir: I have the honor to report that on Saturday, the 18th instant, I received an invitation from the minister of state, requesting a conference for that evening at half past 6 o’clock. I met the minister at the time indicated, and, after the usual preliminaries, he gave me to understand that he desired to discuss the contents of the pending tariff bill, so far as the same will affect the commercial arrangement now existing between Spain and the United States. From his conversation it clearly appeared that he was informed in a general way as to the contents of the pending bill, and he expressed the belief that its practical effect will be to wipe out the provisions of law upon which the reciprocity arrangement is based, and thus bring that arrangement abruptly to an end, provided no saving clauses are contained in the bill which will produce that result in a more gradual way.

Not having seen the text of the bill in its final form, and having no exact information as to its contents except the very imperfect statements contained in the European press, I made it a point to indulge in no positive statements either as to the contents of the bill or as to its effects. The interview concluded with a request from the minister that I should submit to you as soon as possible the following questions:

(1)
When will the pending bill take effect?
(2)
Will the provisions of law, by virtue of which the present commercial arrangement was executed upon “the part of the United States, come at once to an end without notice or warning to Spain?
(3)
What will then be the condition of the commercial relations between the two countries, so far as Cuba and Puerto Rico are concerned, and what action had best be taken by both countries with a view of preserving harmony in those relations?

The minister expressed himself in a most conservative and amicable spirit, saying that Spain had every desire to cooperate with the United States in an effort to make the commercial relations between the two countries harmonious, stating at the same time that Spain had no desire to impose additional burdens upon the commerce of the United States with Cuba and Puerto Rico if such a course could be avoided, and my cooperation was asked to that end. The minister requested me to ask that you would send him at least general answers to his questions by cable as soon as my letter is received, as it is very necessary for him to know what will be the general effect of the bill upon Spanish interests.

I am, etc.,

Hannis Taylor.