The Spanish officers said they were extremely sorry to be unable to
oblige us, but declared that they had not the power to remit the duties.

They said that such action could only be taken by the Spanish Cortes
(the Congress) or by a special decree of the Crown.

They said that owing to the annoyance felt by Spain over the passing of
the Morgan resolution, it would not be safe to ask the Cortes for any
such concession. Such a request would be likely to raise a storm about
Cuban affairs that might overthrow the Ministry, and encourage Carlist
uprisings.

The Spanish Minister declared that it would be just as dangerous to ask
for a Royal Decree. The enemies of the Government would rise against it,
and insist on a change of Ministry.

Whether this statement is true or false, it puts us in the very
unpleasant position of having to pay a large part of our Relief Fund to
the Spanish Customs, or to keep our poor countrymen waiting for the help
they so sorely need until the matter can be arranged.

The Spaniards say that when they offered to help us in distributing the
Fund they had no idea but that the supplies would be purchased in Cuba.

While this tariff affair is annoying and distressing us, other
difficulties have been cleared out of the way of getting the supplies to
Cuba by the generous action of the owners of the Ward line of steamers.

One of the directors of this line called at the State Department in