The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-13
VICTIM OF A MISTAKE.
No Intentional Discourtesy
= to Admiral Meade in
Venezuela.
COULD NOT CALL ON SUNDAY,
A Slip OF the Pen Puts the Min
lister In an Embarrassing
Position.

WASHINGTON, D. c., May 1.-THE
diplomatic trouble concerning United
States Minister Hazelton, resulting from
serious cha rges made by Admiral Meade,
as given exclusively in the Associated
Press dispatch, has been the absorbing
theme to-day. Mr.. Hazelton has received
a dispatch from Hon. B. B. Smalley of Yer
mont, through whose influence he was APP
pointed Minister to Venezuela, saying he
would arrive in Washington tomorrow to
give personal attention to the matter. 1t
is known definitely that Secretary
Gresham, in a cable dispatch to the Minis
ter, called for his resignation. The Minis
ter desires to see the specific charges, and
before rendering his resignation will en-
deavor to have his side of the case pre-
sented to President Cleveland. Assistant
Secretary Uhl expected the written resig-
nation to be rendered yesterday, and asked
for it at an interview with Minister Hazel
ton in the morning and again at 8 o'clock,
but Mr. Hazelton asked that action be de-
ferred until the arrival of Mr.. Smalley,
with view to putting in defense to the
charges. He says he feels that his future
standing is at stake, and this is more to
him than the retention of his diplomatic
mission, which he will undoubtedly re-
sign.
The correspondence leading up to Mr..
Razeltons return has been brief and en-
tireIy by cable. Secretary Gresham's dis
patch stated that facts had come to the
knowledge of the President which COM
PEELED him to call for the Minister'S i'm
mediate resignation. Mr.. Gresham spoke
Al, !
course. No specific charges were men
toned. Mr. Hazeltons dispatch in answer
asked permission to leave for Washington
to resign. His purpose was to come here
and learn the charges, but by an inadvert-
ence he had requested that he might re-
turn "to resign" This last phrase was
construed to mean resignation, and ac-
cordingly Assistant Secretary UhI has
asked that the resignation be. submitted in
accordance with the dispatches.
Mr.. Hazelton is much depressed over the
condition of affairs. He speaks frankly in
defense OF himself, although reserved as to
department matters. He referred to-day
to several further features of Admiral
Meade's visit to Venezuela, showing, in the
judgment of the Minister, the animus of
the charges. Cne of the occurrences was
in the presence of President Crespo of
Venezuela.
sit had been arranged" said the Min
lister, THAT 1 should pursue the usual
course of an official in presenting the Adj
miral to the President. When, however,
the President entered Unexpectedly, Ad-
miral Meade advanced to him, shook his
hand and began speaking to him in Span
ish. The President was noticeably sur
prised, knowing the arrangements for an
official presentation. At the first oppor-
tunity l stepped forward and thereupon
formally introduced Admiral Meade to the
President, and the Admiral presented his
staff officers. 1t was evident the Admiral
was nettled that his informal greeting of the
President had not suffced, although it was
contrary to the honor due President and
contrary to express arrangement.
Mr.. Hazelton also speaks of his trip from
Caracas to La Guayra on the train bear
ing the admiral, at which time the admit
raj did not cali on the Minister, as is said
to be due from an admiral to the repre-
sentative of the United States Govern
ment. When La Guayra was reached
Mr.. Hazelton says Sunday prevented his
calling Immediately on the admiral, on
his flagship, as the rules of the navy forbid
salutes and like courtesies on Sunday.
When he called the next day, Monday,
and was asked to the wardroom, Mr.. Ha-
zelton says Admiral Meade demanded per-
emptorily, "Why did you not call yester-
day?"
The Minister said he avoided contro-
versy by saying he preferred not to call on
Sunday, knowing the feet would remain
until Monday night. He says the cour-
tesy shown him on the flagship was so
scant that it was evident that his depar-
ture was desired by the admiral He re-
ceived, however, the usual salute of seven
teen guns, due United States Minister.
Captain Glass of the cruiser Cincinnati
commanded the gig conveying him to the
shore and in the course of the trip Captain
Glass stated the rules of the navy forbade
Sunday salutes and like courtesies. Mr..
Hazelton will seek to answer the charges,
and if he prevails on the department to
withdraw the request for his resignation
he will seek leave of absence.