The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-04
williams TO CONE HOME
COnsul's Resignation Said to
Have Been Received.
CAUSE FOR. HIS ACTION
He Is Said to Have Won Unpopularity
Because of His Firm Stand for the
Rights of Americans in Cuba His
Tiff With the Spanish Minister Last
Summer Recalled.

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The report that Ramon o. Williams had
rendered his resignation as United States
consul general at Havana cannot be con-
firmed officially, but il is understood on
excellent authority. timt it is true, and
that the letter of resignation was delivered
at the State Department within the past
three days.
The desire of Mr.. Williams to withdraw
from the consular. service at this critical
aspect of the relations of Spain sand the
United States is somewhat surprising, par
tcularly as he returned to Cuba not many
months ago with the understanding, as IL
was supposed here, that he would remain
until the insurrection reached some definite
settlement.
asundersto cd at that time that Consul
General Williams had become persona
non grata to the Spanish authorities In
Cuba for the 1eason that through West
Indian express agency in Brooklyn, with
which his brother was connected, an alleged
underground method OF communication
had been opened with the insurgents.
HE UPHELD AMERICANS.
1t was also said that while this was
put forward unofficially rs Il reason for
Mr.. Williams desired retirement, another
very Potent factor in his unpopuiarity was
his inSistcnce upon the rights OF Ameri-
Cuba.
On this latter question as TO the rights
OF the United States Consul General TO
act in a quasi diplomatic capacity and
present remonStranccs to the captain
general of Cuba when the. liberties OF
American citizens were involved, some
very pointed correspondence took place
between Secretary 0,ney and tie Spanish
minister In Washington.
In q letter dated SpntpmDpr rs, 500
and laid before Congress by the President
February 4 last. Secretary Olney dis
| tinetly asserted the right OF the consul
general TO make presentations whore
the rights Of his countrymen We're in
yolved, simply as the local depositary
and delegate OF the sovereign power for
The purposes ana to the extent of the
usages fixed by treaty" ana he said to
the Spanish minister:
OLNEY BACKED HIM UP.
II address this, note TO you IN the eX-
peCtatlOn that the direct relations known
TO exist between yourself ana the superior
authority in Cuba viii enable you to set
the governor general right upon this i'm
portant point
The governor general was set right and
Consul General Williams, who awaited a
decision on this matter at his home in
Brooklyn. n. Y, returned to his rost OF
duty with a distinct recognition OF his
powers OF remUHStrance in the name of
the United States.
Mr.. Williams came on to Washington in
| response to a request, and at the solicita-
ton, as il is understood, of the President
and the Secretary OF State decided to
return to his post.
Mr.. Williams has been in continuous
service in consular capacity at Havana
since 1874. He. OF course, speaks Spanish
fluentlyr and has discharged the duties
of his position with marked ability though
alternately charged with fayoring first
one side and then the other in the in
sarrectionary troubles on the island.
The precise reason for his resignation
at this time is a secret, carefully guarded
at the State Department,