New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-17
SIR SPENCER ST. JOHN.
WOULD HE BE ACCEPTABLE AT WASHING
TON?
REASONS WHY LORD SALISBURY MAY LIKE TO
TRANSFER A BRITISH MINISTER FROM
MEXICO TO THE UNITED STATES.
rsr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl

TRANSFER BRITISH MINISTER FROM
MEXICO TO THE UNITED STATES.
rBr TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
Washington, Feb 16.-The revival OF the report
that Sir Spencer St John, the British Minister III
Mexico IS TO be transferred to Washington has ex-
cited considerable comment here among people who
know something of hts and his strong prejudice
against the United States Mr.. St. John has been
for many years the British representative In Mexico
and South America, and IS not only familiar with the
Language, but thoroughly conversant with the d.
pomacy and domestic politics OF the South and Central
American republics, as well as OF Mexico. 1t Is sug
gcsted that his transfer 10 the United States, de-
termined upon, IS in pursuance OF the policy OF the
Salisbury Government to thwart, If possible every
effort to bring about close relations between the United
States and the republics south Of US, and that as the
British representative he would be extremely use
full during the sittngs OF the Congress of American
Republics In Washington next fall
When Peru and Chill were at in 1881, Sir
Spencer ST. John was the British Minister at Lima.
That city was In the possession OF the Gillian military
authorities General Hurlbut was the American
Minister al Lima at the same time and in two dis
patches to Secretary Blaine he gave an interesting
account Of one Of Minister 81. Johns performances
which plainly disclosed the anlmus OF the latter
toward TING United States. In the first dispatch under
date Of December z, 1881 Minister Hurlbut wrote:
Sir Spencer John the English Minister IS behaving
very finguarly and indecorously in these affairs lie
earned the other day, in very vague form. something
about the Chimpoe protocol and has proceeded 10 the
singular length OF writing out the points OF secret
treaty between the United States and Peru, which no
Is exhibiting IN clubs and other places and which he
induces people to believe is genuine. In the same spirit
h. has oduced the Gillian authorities 70 believe that
secret treaty" Of vast Importance has In fact been
executed giving In ownership 70 the United States tho
BAY Chmbote and square miles OF territory
and the railroad with exclusive civil and military ius
ieuon and power TO erect fortineatons besides many
exclusive privileges II Mr.. 81. John had ever said
anything to the subject should have probably
told him the facts they
In dispatch dated December IL, Minister Hurlbut
returned TO the subject and wrote as follows
In my last mentioned the extraordinary conduct Of
Sir Spencer St. John, the British Minister. have
learned since that time that the Gillian Government. have
acted this information and that they have teegraphed
70 their several diplomatic agents In America and Europe
In accordance With the false and exaggerated Information
furnished them from that souTce. am also informed,
though scarcely believe H. that the English French aud
italian Ministers hefo have given like Information % ther
respSct,e Governments The purpose Of all these com
muneatons is 10 give color % the idea Of annexation
al least DrOtectorate, the part Of the United
states. Stimulated undoubtedly, by this same infor-
nation chan military authorities OF this city made
a domeilary visit to tho house Of MI Calderon,
occupied By his wife and family. and instituted severe
but Intellectual search for the alleged treaty. They ar
rested Mr.. Yelafde Of MI Caderons late minister's
y
had such document I'm his possession. They then
pressed him 70 for copy from mo. lie did so and
answered tina. 81 the Gillian Commissioners wished any
thing from Is their duty to make the request which
II all proper would be attended coming from
Tho representatives OF a friendly nation. This
request has not yet been made.
Having made up my mind that all this from the
ndiscreoi indecent action OF Sir Spencer St john
addressed him official note IL appears TO me
tina, his excuse as given BY him. is frivolous and weak
invention and II anything. aggrayaes his fault II he
had believed trash he out there would have been
but 10 is apparent that HIS sole object was TO
make mischief and create an il'feeling throughout
America and IN Europe against the United States IL is
needless 10 ada that do believe word Of his excuse
for am advised by many gentlemen oil good standing,
Americans Germans and Frenchmen that he deliberately
Induced tho impression their minds that there was
foundation for tho story.
The following Is copy OF the note TO St John re-
ie5red TO I'm General Hurlbut's dispatch
L have been Informed by several gentlemen In good
standing that for time past you have exhibited In
places OF public supposed version OF an assumed
treaty between Peru and tho United states IL Is further
stated that although NOS affirmed by you to be literal
copy the impression Is mado that IL IL substantially
euin Tho contents reported 10 me. arc extraordinary
aud absurd Your position gives certain weight and I'M
poranca 70 extra-oheiai acueh As you appear
10 have given publicity this extravagani version and
can easily conceive that such version may In the
state OF affairs produce complications request you to
Ad tho representative OF the United states Into the con-
you Literally bestowed upon tho pubic ana
10 furnish me eopy the version alluded TO- ask this
as the representative Of Government so that the in
formation which IL is my duty TO forward may DO com
pletely authentic.
General Hurlbues account of what followed Is in
these words
The above letter was delivered at 8 30 M. Decem
Der TO- At 10 80 OF the day Mr. St. John came
to my house and stated that he hadust received my let
ter that he had shown several persons draft OF
supposed treaty which he himself had noted down. con-
ssng Of six articles that he had done 1t az Joke to
show the efedulty OF the PeruvisnA by embOdying In
form the rmors current tho streets that IL was never
Intended to be serious and that he had so Informed
every one to whom he had shown H. that he had de-
sroyed the paper consequently could not give me
copy 1 remarked that practical jokes on such qpes
tons at the prsent time aud by In his position were
very dangerous and that should inform my Govern
ment fully IN the matter ana also correct from his own
statement the stories current in the city and that
regretted that ne dd choose to give his statement
in writing The ABOVE is an accurate statement OF the
substance Of the conversation
From the foregoing II would appear that while
Sir Spencer st. John humonst OF no mean de-
gree, he might not be regarded by President Harr
son as an acceptable representative OF me British
Government, especially In view OF oIne congress
which Is 10 DO held IN Washington IN OctoDer'
THE PITT DETPHIl COAL TRADE DULL.