No. 988.
Mr. Curry
to Mr. Bayard.
Legation of
the United States,
Madrid, May 26, 1888.
(Received June 9.)
No. 324.]
Sir: As the agreement between the United States of
America and Spain, executed in Washington on September 21, 1887, and since
renewed in Madrid, was approaching its limitation, June 30, I addressed a
note to Mr. Moret, a copy of which is inclosed. In a subsequent conversation
the minister for foreign affairs informed me that he had consulted the
ministry, who had authorized him to assent to my proposition.
I have now the honor of inclosing the agreement as signed to-day, which,
instead of expiring in six months, will be prolonged until an inclusive
treaty of commerce is made between the two Governments, or until either of
the signatory parties shall give two months’ notice of a desire for its
discontinuance.
As this arrangement supersedes the necessity for semi-annual renewal, and
leaves either party as free as before, I trust it may receive the approval
of the Department.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 324.]
Mr. Curry to Mr.
Moret.
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, May 12,
1888.
Excellency: In our last interview, when I had
the honor to call your attention to the prolongation of the modus vivendi, which expires by its own
limitation on June 30 next, you expressed the purpose of the Government
of Spain to agree to its renewal. This modus
vivendi has been renewed from time to time after the lapse of
six months. In negotiating anew the agreement I suggest the addition of
an article like this:
“This agreement shall remain in force until the conclusion of a more
comprehensive treaty between the two contracting parties, or until
either of the contracting parties shall give notice to the other of its
wish to terminate the same, and until the expiration of two months from
the date of said notification.”
The incorporation of such a provision will leave the continuance of the
agreement, even more perfectly than under the present arrangement,
within the control of the contracting parties, and also save the
necessity of this periodical negotiation and renewal.
Trusting that your excellency may concur in the propriety of my
suggestion, and asking early action, as I shall soon enter upon my
summer vacation,
I avail, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 324.]
Protocol.
The undersigned, in the name of the Governments of Spain and the United
States, respectively, have agreed as follows:
- First. The agreement in force between Spain and the United
States of America signed at Madrid on the 21st of December,
1887, is prorogued.
- Second. This agreement, which was to terminate on June 30 of
this year, shall continue in force, by virtue of this
prorogation, until the conclusion of a more extended treaty of
commerce between the two parties interested, or until one of
them shall give notice to the other of its desire to terminate
the agreement two months before the date on which it desires
such termination.
In witness whereof his excellency Don Segismundo Moret, minister of
state, and Mr. J. L. M. Curry, envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipotentiary of the United States of America in Madrid, have placed
their hands and seals to the present document.
Done in duplicate at
Madrid
this 26th day of May,
1888.
[
seal.]
J.
L. M. Curry.
[
seal.]
S. Moret.
