File No. 11274/2.
The Spanish Chargé to the Secretary of State.
Washington, October 30, 1908.
Mr. Secretary: The term of 10 years accorded to Spain by the treaty of Paris1 for the special treatment of her merchandise and vessels in the Philippine Islands nearing its termination, I am instructed by His Majesty’s Government to inquire whether the Federal Government would see fit to extend the term for a reasonable period and continue the duties of No. 311 of the present tariff of the archipelago on Spainsh red and white common wines; that is to say, 5 cents per liter when imported in barrels or casks and 10 cents, also per liter, when imported in flasks, demijohns, bottles, or other similar receptacles. As regards still fine wines, included in No. 310 of the said tariff, that is to say, all fine wines, red or white, including the so-called generous wines and all red or white dessert or liqueur wines (except those mentioned in No. 311), Spain should wish that the duties placed on the said wines by the commercial agreement concluded by Spain and the United States on August 1, 1906,2 be applied in the Magellanic Archipelago, viz, 35 cents per gallon on wines imported in casks and $1.25 per case of 12 bottles or jugs containing “each not more than one quart” and more than one “pint,” or per case of 24 bottles or jugs containing each not more than one “pint,” any excess beyond these quantities in the said receptacles being subject to a duty of 4 cents per pint or fractional part thereof, but no separate or additional duty being assessed upon the bottles or jugs.
In return for these concessions Spain would be disposed to grant to articles coming from the Philippine Islands the minimum rates of duty of her present tariff or those that may be hereafter fixed, as well as the benefits flowing from her commercial treaties now existing or hereafter concluded, exception being made only as to what appertains exclusively to Portugal and Morocco, with which countries Spain entertains special relations based on proximity and contiguity. [Page 547] Spain would further use every means in her power to promote the introduction of Filipino articles into the peninsula.
The bonds of close friendship which unite our two countries, the foundation of cordiality upon which their commercial relations stand, and the material benefit derived by the United States from the difference of 1898, lead me to hope that I may be given the opportunity to terminate my provisional mission in reporting to my Government that this matter has been given a solution consonant with its wishes.
I avail, etc.,