Luis Polo de Bernabé y Pilón

Luis Polo de Bernabé y Pilón’s American mission lasted only weeks before diplomatic relations broke in April 1898. He later served as ambassador in Italy and continued in Spanish public life, becoming a senator for life in 1919. He is distinct from Admiral José Polo de Bernabé y Mordella, the minister who negotiated during the Virginius crisis a quarter century earlier. ^{1, 2, 3}

In March 1898, Polo de Bernabé tried to answer American concern about civilians displaced by Spain’s reconcentration policy in Cuba. On 26 March he sent William R. Day reports from provincial authorities, while withholding statistics because he considered them incomplete. He attributed the suffering principally to insurgent destruction, an argument made on Spain’s behalf. Five days later he relayed Governor-General Ramón Blanco’s announcement that the reconcentration order in the western provinces would be revoked and that displaced people could return to agricultural work, with assistance and public employment promised to those in need. ^{4, 5}

On 10 April he informed Secretary of State John Sherman that the queen regent had authorized a suspension of hostilities, leaving Blanco to settle its duration and practical details. He coupled that announcement with a defense of Cuban autonomy under Spanish sovereignty. The concession did not preserve diplomatic relations. After Congress adopted its resolution concerning Cuba and the president approved it on 20 April, Polo requested passports and entrusted Spanish interests to the representatives of France and Austria-Hungary. Sherman supplied a passport for the minister, his family, and his suite, and arranged protection during their departure. ^{6, 7}