New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-21
THE sACKvILLE INCIDENT.
THE CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING THE
DISMISSAL OF THE BRITISH MINISTER
MADE PUBLIC.


BEEN THE SUBJECT OF INTER
NATIONAL COMPLAINT
LoAD sAcKvILLEs
STATEMENT
Washington, Feb. 2o.-The President to-day sent 20
Congress all tho correspondence which has taken place
between tais Government and the Government OF
Great Britain In regard to tho dismissal Of Lord Sack
vile Minister of Great Britain TO the United States
The Presidents letter OF transmtta is purely formal
communication. The correspondence opens with
copy Of the now famous Murchson letter and Lord
Sackvilles reply thereto.
On October a5 Secretary Bayar1, In a telegram.
directs Minister Phelps to invite Lord Sasbury's at
ention TO the Murchison letters and TO express the
confident reliance OF this Government upon tho action
of Her Matestys Government In the matter
On the following day Secretary Dayam telegraphs
to Minister Phelps that Mr.. Vests usefulness in this
country IS at end, that a strong public sentiment
has been aroused and that Lord Salisbury should be
permitted speedily possible to understand tho
necessity Of Immediate action
Under date Of October % Minister Phelps telegraphs
10 Secretary Bayan that Lord Salisbury declines 10
act until In receipt Of the precise language Of Lord
6ackville and his explanation. Lord Salisbury does
not regard that Minister'S letter alone sufficient TO
warrant HIS recall thus ending his diplomatic carer,
which would not necessarily be the II he were
dismissed by the Government OF tho United statos,
for which course thcro are precedcnts.
Mr.. Phelps states that there will DO long delays.
with no decisive result II dependence placed the
movement Of the British Government and advises
that action DO taken upon tho intImaton of Lord
Salisbury.
The correspondence then gives tho report OF sscrc-
tary Bayard to the President on the conduct of Lord
sackville. This has been published heretofore.
THE PASSPORTS SENT TO LORD sACKVILLE-
Under dato OF October 30 Mr. Bayard writes 10
Lord sackville:
Ny Lord The President Of the United states has
structed inform you that for good and sucien,
causes which known yourself and hayo been duly
brought 10 the knowledge Of your Government he
with great regret become convinced that would be
Incompatible with the best interests and detrimental
tho good relations both Governments that You should
any longer hold your present Official position United
States; and accordingly the Government Of Her
Britannia Majesty Will. without delay. be informed Of
this determination in order that another channel may DO
established the transmission communications
may be found desirable By the two Governments the
transaction Of their business
Whenever II your pleasure 70 depart from the United
States ain instructed 70 furnish you with tho usual
taeleS and with that view, / beg leave 70 ineloss
a passport 10 the customary form.
On the Same day Lord saOkvlle replies to Mr..
Bayard:
Sir: have the honor 20 acknowledge the receipt Of
your note OF this days informing he Pre-
Of the United States has become convinced that Il would b.
incompatible with the best Interests and detrimental 70
the good relations OF both Governments should any
longer held my present Official position in tho United
stabs transmitting my.passportA have the honor
TO be- with the highest consideration, sir your
obedent humble servant
Under date OF october 81, Secretary Bayard
municates to Minister Phelps, giving a statement
Of tho Murchson correspondence, and says
Such an answer 4 letter only b. characterized
~ q gross breach OF diplomatic privilege and deeorum
and unustasblo abuse OF his Lordships position heg
tho accredited of friendly Power lie danger
ously nvadcd the exclusive sovereignty OF this country
over It's soil. It's eluienS and ~ a1aIrs Of the
deepest moment
LORD SALISBURY FAILS TO SEE THE POINT
Minister Phelps, under date OF November Q, con-
municates TO Secretary Bayard, giving az account 81
bis various interviews with Lord Salisbury. and incio
ing aIelos upon the subject OF the Murchson etiei
IN leading London newspaper lie says that since
tho action OF the President Of these papers have
characterized tho In which the British Minister
was treated and the publicity given It as afiront
10 Great Britain
In Enclosures OF November ] and respectively,
Lord Salisbury asks for definite information fl
regard TO what Minister sackvlllc haJ done than was
given al his Interview with Minister Phelps and says
he take action uan he receives fuller pari:c-
ulars and Minister Phelps answers that his recol'
lection Of what Lord Salisbury said In regard to Min
lister sackvilles conduct differs somewhat from tho
suggestions contained IN his letter These Enclosures
have already boon made public.
OH DccenlDer . laSt PIT. ihelIs ior"afu'n 10 oec-
rotary Bayard copy of note to Lord salisbury, In
which he transmits copies Of tho Murchson eorrc-
spondonce and newspaper interviews.
Mr. Phelps says that both the correspondence and
Tho Tribune Interview appeared 10 tho Government
Of the United states TO constitute very grave and
unprovoked aront b. Lord 5sckylle TO tho President
and the Senate, an Interference IN tho political dis
cussons Of the United States that under other CIR
cumstances might however erroneous, havo been OF
less consequence, but which, at the time II took place
and under existing circumstances Of very serious and
misehieyous consequence, II appeared 10 tbs Gov.
eminent Of the United States should havs been
avoided with even unusual and oircumspsctlon.
In asking tho recall OF the Minister, says Mr.
Phelps upon q representation Of tho general purport
Of the letter to Murchson, the United States Govern
mcnt assumed that such request would DO sufficient
for that purpose whatever consideration the
for II might afierwand demand or receive. IL was
believed that the acceptance or retention Of Minis
tor question solely TO be determined, either with
without the assignment of rcasons BY the Govern
ment TO which no was accorded and tho Government
Of the United States not therefore prepared for
Lord sal!sbury's ciuest that particulars OF the
language complained OF should be furnished and that
the action Of Hor Majesty's Government IN respect
TO Withdrawing tho Minister would await the TO
cepton OF It and the hearing accorded TO the Minister
In regard TO IT, In conclusion H. Phelps says
need hardly assure your ordshil that II s from
feeling Of unlindness 10 Lord Sacv, whose previous
Intercourse with the Government Of the United States
acceptable. that am Instructed 70 bring these
facts 70 the attention Of Her Maestys Government
The Government Of Tire United State deeply regrets
occurrence that I'm it judgment, redered necessary
termination Of Lord sackyes onicia residence az Wash
ngton as It must always regret anyncdent that might
Impair tbs slightest degree the INST friendly relations
that exist between The two GoyernmnS
Lord salisbury replies TO Mr. Phelps, December
"a, 1855, saying that he has sferred the above
mentioned letter 10 Lord sackvie. Lord Salisbury
that the action Of tho Untedstates Government
has rendered the copies Of lettrs and interviews
transmitted by Mr. Phelps OF tactical importance
as thoy we're wanted 10 enable He Maiesty's Govern
ment to form judgment on the'omplalnt
PRIVATE LETTERS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW. |
Lord Salisbury, after quoting Mr.. PhePss Wow