222 TlMEHRI. 
he remembered my negotiations in 1884, and was friendly 
and courteous. He would not discuss the question of 
the West Indies, but referred me to General J. W. 
Foster, the late United States Minister to Spain, to 
whom he introduced me, and with whom all the subse- 
quent negotiations took place. 
I found that General Foster was well posted as to the 
Colonies and their affairs, and had the most elaborate 
statistics ready to his hand. He first alluded to the 
delay which had taken place. He said his Government 
considered that sufficient notice had been given of the 
intention to enforce the reciprocity clause by the con- 
sular communications in the earlier part of the year. He 
expressed himself, however, quite satisfied with the 
explanations I offered. He gave me clearly to under- 
stand, in the most positive terms, that the duties would 
be enforced against all countries not making a recipro- 
city arrangement. The point was then settled, after 
considerable argument, that no exclusive treatment was 
to be given, but that all countries were to be treated 
alike in regard to their imports into the colonies, 
although we were told that this would not be in accord- 
ance with the policy of the United States as shown in 
previous arrangements under the clause. 
The general chara&er of the tariffs was then reviewed 
and every effort was made to convince General Foster 
that they were not reciprocally unequal and unreasonable, 
but were fair and just to all. He still kept to his 
position, which, in regard to British Guiana, will be 
stated later on. 
In the meantime the very important preliminary ques- 
tion arose as to whether these negotiations were to be 
