Mr. Taylor to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of the United States,
Madrid
,
January 1,
1895
. (Received January 15.)
No. 279.]
Sir: I have just received from the minister of
state an answer to your demand of the 16th ultimo, which I inclose
herein with translation. I have just communicated to you the substance
of this answer in a telegram.
I am, etc.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Mr. Groizard to
Mr. Taylor.
Ministry of
State,
Palace
,
December 31,
1894
.
Excellency: The minister of ultramar, to
whom I submitted the observations presented by you in the name of
the Government which you so worthily represent at this court against
the application to North American products of the first column of
the tariff in force in [Page 628] the
custom-houses of Cuba and Puerto Rico, after careful study of the
question, has informed me that in view of article 2 of the royal
decree of April 29, 1892, which provides that the first column of
the tariff constitutes the rule applicable to the products of all
nations which have not made conventions with Spain; and in view of
the fact that the commercial arrangement with the United States
ceased on the 27th of August by the act of the United States and
against the desire of Spain to maintain always cordial relations, he
does not find the means to exempt the above-mentioned products from
the tariff indicated.
The Government of His Majesty, which has the greatest desire that
those relations may be the most cordial and friendly, will do, in
spite of such obstacles, as much as it can do on its part to bring
about the desired result, and to that end it is disposed to enter
immediately with you upon negotiations calculated to produce an
agreement in virtue of which North American products may cease to be
subject in Cuba and Puerto Rico to the regulations to which existing
legislation subjects them.
I hope that the Government of the United States of America will duly
appreciate the good wishes which animate that of his Catholic
Majesty, who would see with satisfaction their conversion into
acts.
I avail, etc.,