New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-04
HE DECLINES TO GO TO ROME.
NOT WILLING TO BE PLACED IN A
FALSE POSITION.
lie DID. HE SAYS. CONTRIBUTE TO THE cLEvE
LAND CAMPAIGN FUND. But NOT FOR THE
PURPOSE OF PURCHASING AN OFFICE
THE PRESIDENT URGES HIM TO WITH
DRAW HIS RESIGNATION AND
CALLS THE CRITICISM MA
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIpryr.J
LIGNANT.

Washington. Dec. 3.-The news received here
from New-York this evening that James J. Van
Allen had sent to the President his resignation
as Ambassador of the United States to Italy
excited lively political and personal interest,
and was naturally looked on fittingly sem
sational closing of a rather unusual diplomatic
incident No appointment made by President
Cleveland in his present term had been received
with such storm of protest and criticism. and
the circumstances under which Mr.. Van Allen
entered diplomatic life had been freely de-
nounced by political morasts little short Of
scandalous. As will be readily recalled Mr..
Van Allen contributed a large sum-popularly
fixed at s50O00-to the Democratic campaign
fund in 1892 at auspicious moment when
funds were low and friends were exceedingly
few. and Immediately after Mr.. Clevelands cleo
tion it was announced that he would be ready
To go as Minister to Italy soon after March
4 as his credentials could be made out. The
appointment did not come. however. until late
this summer owing TO the persistent protests
of some Of Mr.. Cleveands personal and polit
ical friends against what they considered the
consummation Of piece Of pt political
brokerage
Mr.. Whitney. who was thought to have ar
ranged the exchange" in which Mr. Van Allen
staked his contribution against future diplo-
matte honors, was involved in a public contro-
yersy over the details Of the transaction soon
after the appointment was sent to the Senate
and through his communications and those of
Richard Watson Glider and Horace White the
circumstances OF Mr.. Van Aliens entry into
diplomatic life became widely known. Mr. Van
Allen had prohtcd by the delay in the supposed
delivery Of the goods for the rank Of the
representative Of this country In Rome had
meanwhile been raised from that Of Minister to
that OF Ambassador. In spite Of tho public I'M
preston that the new envoy had been chosen
solely as "A return for value received. the
Senate voted, after few weeks of deberation
to confirm him. and early in October his four
year title to the Roman Embassy and its ap-
purtenanCes approved.
Strangely enough Mr. Van Allen has since that
time failed 10 foot in Washington. and for the
greater part ~ the last seven weeks absolutely
nothing has been known here of his plans or IN
teniions Shortly after his confirmation he was
coaching about Tuxedo. Some weeks ago II
was announced that he had gone to Vermont
to purchase horses To take To Rome with him.
and It was also said that ne had leased house
in the Italian capital and sent his servants
there. lie reappearcl in Ncw-lork city at the
Horse Show. and was reported then as ready TO
come here to qualify and receive instruction
before sailing Since the Horse Show nothing
had becn heard az the State Department Of his
purposed trip here. and few days ago 1t was
said that no one there knew when ne was 10
qualify to sail.
The news received tonight was promptly ad-
mltted to be true by Secretary Gresham No
one else however. seemed to have been In the
secres OF Mr. Van Aliens purpose 10 give quit
claim on his bargain" and rcnounce the salts
faction and ambitions Of a diplomatic career.
His sudden decision to abandon the post In
which he had already achieved wholesale con-
spiculty was not understood in political circles
here and in the absence of the text Of his let
ters Of resignation to the President no definite
.
interesting episode could be venturcd by public
men here.