Mr. Day to Mr. Cambon.

The Secretary of State of the United States has the honor to inform the embassy of the Republic of France that it is expected that the commissioners appointed on the part of the United States for the purpose of arranging and executing the details of the evacuation of Cuba by Spain will soon depart for Habana in a public ship. It is deemed proper to give notice of this intention in order that the mines in the harbor of Habana may now be removed, if, indeed, this has not already been done.

The Secretary of State will be greatly obliged if the embassy will cause the substance of this communication to be conveyed by telegraph to the Spanish Government, and advise him of that Government’s reply, in order that preparations may immediately be made for the departure of the United States commissioners.