Mr. Taylor to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, February 26,
1894. (Received March 10.)
No. 132]Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your last telegram concerning the publication of the Cuban
repertory.
I have to day addressed to the minister of state a reply to his note of
the 20th instant, in which I have embodied your instructions. A copy of
my note please find inclosed.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 132.]
Mr. Taylor to
Mr. Moret.
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, February 26, 1894.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your note of the 20th instant, in which you call upon
me to cooperate with you in the preparation of a “translation of the
English repertory signed in Washington, October 17, 1892.” You will
remember that immediately upon the receipt of your note I called
upon you in person in order to ascertain whether your statement that
the English text, “being the one agreed upon, is the only one that
can have force and bind both Governments” (cuyo texto por ser el
convenido es el único que puede hacer fé y obligar á ambos
Gobiernos), was intended as an intimation that the Government of His
Majesty does not recognize the full force and obliging effect of the
contemporaneous Spanish version. Upon your assurance that you did
not intend to make any such intimation, I at once telegraphed to my
Government that while you admitted
[Page 605]
that the Cuban repertory was duly executed in
Spanish and English you were desirous that I should cooperate with
you in the making of a new translation of the English version into
Spanish, because you claimed that the Spanish version, executed
contemporaneously with the English, is not a clear and complete
exposition of it.
In reply to my request for instructions my Government has responded
as follows: The Spanish version of the repertory signed here is the
only text binding on the Spanish Government, the English being a
translation to inform exporters of alterations in Spanish tariff
made by reciprocity arrangement. If there are errors in the English
translation we will gladly make changes to conform to Spanish
original, and will publish Spanish together with English text. But
no change can be made in Spanish original. Again, to translate
English translation would lead to interminable confusion. I am
instructed to emphasize the fact last stated, and to request of you
the prompt publication of the Spanish original.
I avail, etc.,
