Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-22
His Somewhat Strained Relations
With Mr.. Gresham.
UNSUPPORTED DESIRE TO GO ELSEWHERE
A Rumor of an UItimatum From
Uncle Sam.
M URUAGA'S POSITION

1t is currently reported that Senior Mo-
ruaga, the Spanish minister, cabled his
resignation to his home government on ac-
count OF complications arising from the
Alliance affair. and that a reply has been
received from Spain instructing him to re-
tain his official position at Washington as
the representative Of the Spanish govern
ment 1t has been impossible to secure
either confirmation or denial Of this
statement from official sources. Minister
Muruaga refuses positively to discuss the
matter, and State Department officials. as
usual. have nothing to say" There are
good grounds for the belief, however that
the Spanish minister has signified a strong
desire to be relieved from further service
at this capital. and that he will be trans
ferred to another field of usefulness as
soon as the correspondence over the Alli-
anca affair has passed the acute stage in
which 1t now stands. 1t is important that
Spain should have a diplomatic representa-
tive in Washington under existing condi-
tions, and even IL his successor should be
selected at once 1t would be several weeks
before he could arrive here.
No Immedfte Change.
1t is therefore assumed that there will be
no immediate change in the Spanish lega-
tion here unless 1t should be caused by he
termination of diplomatic relations between
the United States and Spain. as result Of
Secretary Gresham's peremptory demand
for an instant apology.
Although it is known that Secretary
Gresham is displeased at Senior Muruaga's
published criticisms of his course toward
the Spanish government in the Alliance
matter, 1t is not generally believed that he
has demanded his recall or has informed
Senor Muruaga Of his views on the subject.
1t Is whispered in diplomatic circles that
Mr.. Muruaga finds his official intercourse
with Mr.. Gresham far from congenial and
that he would prefer a transfer to another
country. He thought Mr.. Gresham ought to
have given him time to ascertain the facts
In the Alliance affair before issuing his
manifesto to Spain. and his great fault. ac-
cording to his critics, was in publicly ex-
pressing that opinion.
A Rumored Ultimatum.
It 10 now said that another sensation is
to be sprung in this matter. The rumor is
that the Secretary Of State is chafing un-
der the failure Of Spain to comply with his
demands. and that If there is further delay
he will send a sharp note of reminder that
the terms Of his message must be met at
once. His original demand was submitted
eight days ago. and has not yet been COM
piled with. SO far as can be ascertained.
1t 10 said that the question Of sending an
ultimatum to Spain was considered at to-
days cabinet meeting, but the report can
not be verified.
Senior Muruaga's Position.
A gentleman who claims to know the
facts about Mr.. Muruaga's resignation is
quoted as follows:
THE minister was very sensitive as to
the criticisms In view of the fact that he
had been xealously working to further the
interests Of his government throughout
the whole Cuban troubles. He felt that. in
view Of the criticism, his government was
not altogether satisfied with his course.
which, it is said. has also been misrepre-
afAf1t tNyc
minister himself comments severely on the
way he has been misQuoted by several
journals of this country. His resignation
was consequently sent in on March IA, and
the reply he received from the Spanish
minister of foreign affairs was such as to
completely vindicate his position. It stated
that the Spanish government was pleased
with the manner in which Minister Muru-
aga had represented his government in the
United States, and the acceptance of his
resignation for that reason would have to
is very much gratified that his government
appreciates his services so highly, still he
felt that If they were otherwise 1T was but
proper that he should tender his resigna-
ton. As 1t was not accepted. the minister
will, Of course, withdraw 1t.
The Resignation Withdrawn.
Later this afternoon 1t was announced
positively that Minister Muruaga, about
a week ago. forwarded his resignation to
his government. The step was taken be-
cause of certain criticisms made in Cuba.
The resignation was withdrawn at the re-
quest Of the Spanish government. This is
regarded closing that phase of the re-
cent agitation, SO that Senior Muruaga will
continue as minister from Spain until
further action is taken.
His friends in the diplomatic corps say
he has no desire to leave at time when
his services are needed here in the effort
of Spain to check the Cuban uprising.
There is reason to believe, however, that
he will ask for leave of absence as soon
as affairs assume mere pacific aspect.
No Reply Received.
The reply Of Spain to Secretary Gresham's
demand for an apology on the Aliianca
matter was not received today. and there
is an apparent cessation of action both at
the Spanish capital and in Cuba.
This is accounted for by the fact that the
new cabinet Of Spain is not yet formed.
and the acting officials of the foreign office
are subordinates who would not anticipate
incident with the United States.