Mr. Day to Mr. Hay.
At conference yesterday we again informed Spanish Commissioners that United States would not subdivide so-called Cuban debt. Spanish Commissioners then intimated they were willing to meet American Commissioners as to relinquishment of sovereignty over Cuba if some responsibility for such debt was acknowledged. We insisted upon our position and finally asked whether they would refuse to sign any articles unless such acknowledgment was made. To this question the Spanish Commissioners asked time for reply, and we adjourned till 4 o’clock p.m. on Wednesday. Would you approve an article in treaty which should provide that the United States, while not contracting any independent liability of its own, would use its good offices with any people or government possessing sovereignty in Cuba for acknowledgment of any debts incurred by Spain for existing internal improvements of a pacific character in the island? A mixed commission to be appointed to ascertain whether any such debts exist, and if so, their amount. This would necessarily be a precedent for Puerto Rico, Guam, and Philippine Islands. Commissioners may feel inclined to make this concession on strength of precedents and statements of publicists as to passing of local debts or debts incurred specially for benefits of transferred territory. We hope for reply before meeting again.