Mr. Taylor to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, January 11,
1895. (Received January 24.)
No. 287.]
Sir: In my dispatch of the 8th instant, I had
the honor to inclose you a copy of my note of the 7th instant, which I
presented to the minister of state on that day as a true statement of
the proposals made up to that time in reference to the subject treated
of therein. I have the honor to inclose a copy of note (with
translation) addressed to me on the 10th instant, by the minister of
state, in reply to mine of the 7th. I also inclose a copy of a note
addressed by me to-day to the minister of state in reply to his last of
the 10th. From these notes you will perceive that the provisional
arrangement entered into under the instructions contained in your
telegrams involves nothing more upon the part of the President than
refraining from discriminating against or excluding Spanish products
under act of 1890 in consideration of most-favored-nation treatment by
Spain. Therefore, when I received your telegram inquiring of me whether
the proposed agreement called for more upon the part of the President, I
answered in the negative.
[Page 632]
In view of the fact that the clause in our present tariff law imposing an
additional duty of one-tenth of one cent a pound on sugar exported from
bounty-paying countries may be repealed, I had it expressly understood
that subsequent tariff changes may be made without prejudice to the
agreement, provided that no discriminations are made thereby.
I have every reason to hope and expect that the Cortes will act in the
matter as promptly as possible.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
Mr. Groizard to
Mr. Taylor.
Ministry of
State,
Palace, January 10,
1895.
Excellency: I have had the honor to receive
your note of the 7th instant, in which you were pleased to
communicate to me the favorable reception which the Government of
the United States has given to the propositions of that of His
Majesty for the execution of a modus vivendi which may regulate the
commercial relations between the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico and
the United States until such time as a definitive treaty of commerce
may be concluded.
In accordance, therefore, with the declarations made to you and
accepted by your Government, I have the honor to inform you that
that of His Majesty is disposed to apply to the products of the
United States in the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico the duties of
the second column of the tariff now in force as long as the
Government of the Union concedes to the products of said islands the
most-favored-nation treatment, it being understood that in no case
shall American products in Cuba and Puerto Rico or Spanish products
in the United States be subjected to a differential treatment in
respect to those of other countries.
This modus vivendi shall remain in force until the conclusion of a
definitive treaty between the parties interested, or until one of
them shall give to the other three months’ notice of the date upon
which it is desired to terminate it.
The Government of His Majesty will ask of the Cortes the legislative
authority necessary to put in vigor in the shortest time possible
the provisional arrangement agreed upon.
I improve this opportunity, etc.,
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Taylor to
Mr. Groizard.
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, January 11, 1895.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your note of the 10th instant, in reply to mine of
the 7th instant, in which I took occasion to present to you a
telegram from my Government saying [Page 633] that the President, appreciating the friendly
disposition manifested by your proposals, will refrain from
exercising the power of discrimination or exclusion against the
products of Cuba and Puerto Rico so long as Spain accords
most-favored-nation treatment to American products in those islands.
In reply to my note you are now good enough to reassure me that in
consideration of such treatment by my Government that of His Majesty
will apply to American products only the duties imposed by the
second column of the tariff in force in Cuba and Puerto Rico, that
column being applied, as you have assured me, to all nations which
now receive from Spain in those islands the most-favored-nation
treatment.
The necessary meaning of this agreement, as you have correctly
expressed it not only in your note, but in your conversations with
me, is that both nations may make subsequent tariff changes without
prejudice to the agreement, provided by such changes neither
discriminates against the other.
In the event that either party desires to determine the agreement,
three months’ notice of such intention is to be given
beforehand.
Hoping to be informed by you at a very early day of the consummation
of the necessary acts upon the part of the Cortes, I seize this
opportunity to renew, etc.
