Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-04
CONsUL-GENERAL WILLIAMS.
Why should He Resign Just Nows
His Right Of RemOnstrnnce.

WASHINGTON. ID. c., March g.
The report that Ramon 0. Williams had
rendered his resignation as United States
Consul-General at Habana cannot be con-
firmed officially. but It is understood on
excellent authority that 1t Is true, and
that the letter Of resignation was de-
livered at the State Department within
the past three days. The desire OF MIR.
Williams to withdraw from the consular
service at this critical point Of the rela-
lions OF Spain and the United States
is somewhat surprising, particularly as
he returned TO Cuba not many months
ago, with the understanding, as 1t was
supposed here, that he would remain UNI
til the insurrection reached some definite
settlement. 1t was understood at that
time that Consul-General Williams had
become persona non grata to the Spanish
authorities in Cuba. for the reason that
through a West Indian express agency
in Brooklyn, with which his brother was
connected, an alleged underground me-
thod of communication had been
opened with the insurgents. 1t was
also said that while this was put for
ward officially as a reason for Mr.. Will
liams's desired retirement. another very
potent factor in his unpopularity was his
insistence upon the rights OF American
citizens to fair trial and treatment In
Cuba. On this latter question, as to the
right OF the United States Consul-Gene-
raj to act in a quasi-diplomatic capacity,
and present remonstrances to the captain
general OF Cuba when the liberties Of
American citizens were involved, some
very pointed correspondence took place
between Secretary Olney and the Spanish
Minister at Washington.
In letter dated September rs, 1895, and
laid before Congress by the President
February 18th last, Secretary Olney dis
tinctly asserted the right OF the Consul
General TO make representations where
the rights of his countrymen were in
volved, simply as the local depository
and delegate of the sovereign power. for
the purposes and to the extent of the
usages fixed by the treaty" and he said
to the Spanish Minister. Il address this
note to you in the expectation that the
direct relations known to exist between
yourself and the superior authority in
Cuba will enable you to set the Governor
General right upon this important point"
The Governor-General was set right,
and Consul-General Williams, who await
ed decision on this matter at his home.
in Brooklyn, n. Y. returned to his post
of duty, with distinct recognition OF his
powers of remonstrance in the name of
the United States.
Mr.. Williams came on to Washington, in
response to a request, and at the solicit
tation. ii is understood, of the President
and the Secretary OF State. decided to re-
turn TO his post
Mr.. Williams has been In continuous
service in a consular capacity at Habana
since 1874 He, of course. speaks Spanish,
and has discharged the duties of his po-
sition with marked ability. though al
ternately charged with favoring first one
side and then the other In the insur-
rectionary troubles on the island The
precise reason for his resignation at this
time is a secret carefully guarded at the
State Department.