Mr. Sickles to Mr. Fish
Sir: The following is the text of a telegraphic dispatch sent this afternoon to the Department of State at Washington, through the Spanish ministry of state, in the same manner as my telegram of the 30th ultimo:
Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State, Washington:
Your telegram of 1st instant read to minister of state. He agrees to this reply:
Proof of the desire of this cabinet to settle reclamations promptly is seen in their proposal to avoid delay and formalities of a convention. Roberts will receive full powers, as in Aspinwall case, when bases are settled here. Judgments of Spanish tribunals pronounced in the absence of defendants, or in violation of international law or of treaty, may be reconsidered by the arbitrators. It is also proposed that, when naturalized Spaniards have appeared before Spanish tribunals in Cuba without asserting American nationality, they shall be presumed to have waived or renounced their new allegiance.
My telegram of January 26 was shown to minister before transmission. He now re-affirms its contents.
Your instructions of January 28 not yet received.
SICKLES.
Madrid, February 4—5 p. m.
I am, &c.,