Evening star., 1895-10-14
The Rumor as to Consul General
Williams Functions.
NO CONFIRMATION OF TIE S4CRY
His Duties Have Heretofore In
cluded Diplomatic Matters.
W 81 A T NJ AY HAP EN-

Although lacking official confirmation, it
Is believed that a controversy has arisen
between the United States and Spanish
governments in regard to the right Of U. S.
Consul General Williams at Havana to ex-
ercise diplomatic functions in matters aris-
ing out of the Cuban insurrection. The
report that the Spanish authorities have
refused to recognize the consul general ex-
cept for the transaction of purely COM
nercial ard consular business has been
admitted, SO it is said, by Mr.. Williams,
but the additional report that Secretary
Olney has protested against such action on
the part of Spain and has given formal
notice that that government will be held
responsible for all damage to American
interests and American dignity in conse-
quence thereof. cannot be suhstantiated at
the State Department or other official cir
cles likely to be Informed on the subject.
Mr.. Olney Refuses to Talk.
Secretary Olney refuses positively to say
anything on the subject one way or the
other, and Senior De LONE, the Spanish
minister, is out of the city. Senior De LONE
was seen by a reporter in Philadelphia last
evening. He Is quoted as saying there was
absolutely no ground for agitation about
an impending international controversy
over Spain's refusal to give the American
consul general In Cuba the recognition ac-
corded to the consuls general of other ma
tions.
He said that 1t is his unvarying custom
to refuse to discuss, publicly, diplomatic
questions. and he would not make an cx-
ception in this case. If any action on his
himself to the proper officials in an official
capacity. Further than this he refused to
say anything.
Mr. Wtllinms' Previous Service.
Consul General Williams has previously
acted in all diplomatic questions arising
within his jurisdiction without objection
OH the part Of the Spanish authorities, and
If 1t is true that he has been notified that
he will no longer be recognized in such
cases 1t is complete reversal Of the past
policy of the Spanish officials. Such course
may have been inspired by the vigorous
action of Consul General Williams in the
cese of Julio SanguillO. Capt. Gen. Calleja,
governor general of the province. proposed
to try this American prisoner by court
martial. but. at the instance of the Ameri-
can consul general, he was compelled to
turn him over to the civil authorities for
trial. The Spanish authorities are said to
have been much displeased over this case.
The Present Story.
According to the present story, Senior
Canevas. the Spanish prime minister,
after the subject was fully considered at
a meeting Of the Spanish ministry. at
which he presided In person, decided to de-
prive Mr.. Williams of all diplomatic au-
thority and confine him strictly to the
of his office. Accordingly, the Spanish
minister of the colonies instructed Gen.
Campos to inform Mr.. Williams that
henceforth he would not be recognized as
possessing any authority to transact bus-
ness with the governor general of Cuba
upon other than commercial matters.
Gen. Campos sent for Mr. Williams re-
Gently and communicated to him the in
structions from Spain.
Thereupon Secretary Olney is reported
to have notified the Spanish minister here
that this government would insist on Con-
sui General Williams acting in a diplomatic
capacity whenever it became necessary.
The action of the Spanish ministry is re-
ported to be based on the commercial
treaty between Spain and the United States
of 1879. which provides, among other things.
that consular officers have no authority in
diplomatic matters.
The other Side.
On the other hand 1t is argued that this
same treaty also provided that United
States consular officers shall have all the
rights and privileges of 1.-The most favored
nation" This affords the basis for Secre-
tary olney's contention. The German gov
ernment has a consular treaty with Spain,
in which consuls and consul generals may
act as diplomats If circumstances demand
Secretary Olney informed Senor Canovas
that the United States demands that his
government concede the same privileges to
the United States consul general that are
given to the consul general of Germany.
What May Happen.
If 1t should turn out, as is believed to be
the case, that the objections of the Spanish
authorities to Consul General Williams are
mainly based on personal grounds. it is not
at all unlikely that the present entangle-
ment will be eventually settled by the re-
call OF Mr.. Williams as persona non grata
1t is said that the administration would un-
willingly agree to such course rather than
concede the contention that the American
ccr sui general at Havana shall be deprived
of all diplomatic powers, especially in the
present critical state of affairs In Cuba.