The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-02-21
SACKVILLE'S PASSPORT.
THE CORRESPONDING IN THE
CASE SENT TO CONGRESS.


Hint Suggestive of Dismissal.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20-The President
to-day sent to congress all the correspond
ence which has taken place between this
government and the government Of Great
Britain in regard to the dismissal Of Lord
Sackville- West as minister of Great Brit
ain to the United States.
1t is voluminous, a single letter from Sec
retary Bayard to Minister Phelps, in which
he replies to arguments Of Lord Salisbury
against the action of this government, en-
braces about 200 words The Presidents
letter of transmittal is purely formal com
munication. The correspondence opens
with copy Of the now famous Murchison
letter, and Lord Sackville's reply thereto
URGING REMOVAL.
On Oct. 25, Secretary Bayard, in a tele-
gram, directs Minister Phelps to invite
Lord Salisbury'S attention to the Murchison
letters, and to express the confidence of this
government upon the action of her
majesty's government in the matter. On
the following d Secretary Bayard tele-
grapned to Minister Phelps that Minister
Vests usefulness n this country Is at an
end, that strong public sentiment has been
aroused. and that Lord Salisbury should be
permitted as speedily as possble to under
stand the necessity of immediate action.
SALISBURY IN NO HURRY.
Under date of Oct. 2S Minister Phelps
telegraphs to Secretary Bavard that Lord
Salisbury declines to act till in receipt of
the precise language of Lord Sackville-W
| and his explanation. Lord Salisbury does
| not regard the minister's letter alone as
sufficient to warrant his recall thus ending
his diplomatic career, which wOuld not
| necessarily be the case If he were dismis ed
by the government Of the United States,
for which course there are precedents.
Minister Phelps states that there will be
long delays, with no decisive result, if de-
pendence is placed upon the movements of
the British government, and advises that
action be taken upon the intimation of Lord
Salisbury.
THE LETTER OF DISMISSAL.
Then follows the report of Secretary
Bayard to the President on the conduct of
Lord Sackville, published heretofore, nd
the letter of dismissal of Lord Sackville.
which is as follows:
My LoRD-The President of the United Stat es
has instructed me to inform you that for good
and sufficient causes which are known to your
self and have been duly brought to the knowl-
edge of your government, he ha, with great
regret become convinced that it would ba ia
| compatible with the best interests and detri-
mental to the good relations of both govern
mentS that you should any longer hold your
| present official position in the United States,
| and that accordIn-ly the government OF
| Her Britannia Majesty will, without delay,
| be informed of this determination; in order that
| another channel may be established for the
| transmission OF such communications as may
! be found desirable by the two governments in
! the transaction of their business. Whenever
| it is your pleasure to depart from the United
! States am instructed to furnish you with the
usual facilities, and with this view | now beg
| leave to inclose a passport in the customary
| form | avail myself of this occasion to renew
the assurances of my respectful consideration.
On the same day Lord SackvIlle replies
| to Secretary Bayard, simply acGnowl-
| edging the receiptiof the foregoing com
munication and inclosure dated Oct. 30D.
BAYARD's STRUCTURES.
Under date Of Oct. 81 Secretary Bayard
communicates to Minister Phelps giving q
statement of the Murchison correspondence
and says:
Such an answer to such letter can only be
| characterized as gross breach of diplomatic
| privilege and decorum and unjustihable abuse
| Of his lordships position here as tle accredited
| envoy of a friendly power. He dangerously in
| vaded the exclusive sovereignty of this country
over its own SOIL its own citizens and its affairs
of deepest moment.
Minister Phelps. under date of Nov. Q,
| communicates to Secretary Bayard giving
all account Of various interviews with Lord
Salisbury and inclosing articles upon the
subject of the MurchiSon letter in leading
| London papers.
AFTER MORE DEFINITE INFORMATION.
In the Enclosures of Nov. l and 9, Lord
| Salisbury asks more definite information in
regard to what Minister West bas done
than given at the interview with Minister
Phelps, and says that he cannot take action
| until he receives fuller particulars, and Min
ister Phelps answers that his recollection Of
what Lord Salisbury said at the interview
| in regard to Minister Vests conduct differs
from the suggestions contained in his letter.
These Enclosures already have been made
public.
GRAVITY OF THE oFFENsE.
On Dec. 5, last, Minister Phelps forwards
Secretary Bayard a copy of a note to Lord
! Sa isbury in which he transmits copies of
the Murchibon correspondence and newspa-
per interviews. Minister Phelps says to
| Lord Salisbury that both the correspond
ence and the Tribune interview appeared to
the government of the United States to
constitute very grave and unpro-
voked affront by Minister West to
the President and Senate. An in
reference in political discussions
| of the United States that under other cir
cumsts noes might however erroneous,
have been Of less consequence, became, at
the time it took place and under existing
| circumstances, of very serious aud ms
chievous consequence, and, it appeared to
the government Of the United States,
| should have been avoided with oven unu-
sual care and circumspection.
ASSUMPTION OF THIS GOVERNMENT.
In asking the recall Of the minister, says
Minister Phelps, upon repre sen alton Of the
general purp1rt Of the letter, the United
States government Rssum d that such a re-
quest would be sufficient for that purpose,
whatever consideration tue reasons for it
might aftew6rd demand or receive. 1t was
believed that the acceptance or retention of
a minister was a question solely to be deter
mined, either with or without the ASST gnnent
Of reasons by the government 10 which he
was accredited, aud the government IT the
United States was not therefore prepared
for Lord SaliSby yry's request that the parti-
culars Of the language complailed OF should
be furnished, and that the action Of her
majesty's government in respect to with
drawi < the minister would await the
reception Of ii, and the hearing accorded
the minister in regard TO it.
LORD sALIsBUkY's REPLY.
Lord Salisbury replied to Minister Phelps.
Dec. 4, that he bad referred Minister Phelps
letter; that her majesty's government were
unable TO assent 70 the view Of international
usage land down by Minister Phelps and
that the principles which govern interua-
tional relations on this subject appear TO
have been accurately stated by Lord Pal
merston on the occasion of Lord Bulwer's