The news & observer., 1896-12-30


States,
SPANS NOTE PUT INTO FORM.
Finally. in San Sebastian, Spain's note
to Europe was put into form and read TO
each Of the six Ambassadors. 1T propos-
ed that Joint note should be addressed
TO President Cleveland, advising him not
to permit any interference with the do
mestic affairs of Spain, and warning the
American Government Of the conse-
ouences which must inevitably follow any
gross breach of international law.
Under the cover of advice the Euro
pean nations were to make a plain threat
and practically dictate the course OF the
United States. Ii have made any error
in this statement of the note which the
Duke Of Tetuan read to the Ambassa-
doris in July, it is a very slight inaccura-
CIV. The facts are as | write them.
President CleYeland's proclamation ad-
vising the American people not to violate
the neutrality laws was shock to the
diplomatic cOnspirators. Two of the Am
bassadors declared that the Presidents
action had destroyed the point OF the pro-
posed European protest, and had taken
away any excuse which might have eX~
listed for Joint action. The Duke of Ie-
tuan and the Austrian Ambassador in
sisted, however, that Spain's appeal to her
sister nations should be sent, in spite OF
the Presidents friendly proclamation.
One of the two reluctant Ambassadors
was won over by the argument that the
Spanish Grown was in danger and must
be upheld against the mischievOus med
ding Of the United States
MIR. TAYLOR HEARS THE SECRET
At last the Spanish Government draft
ed the identical note in its final form,
and was about to send it to the first class
powers by special couriers, when a gem
tleman unconnected with the diplomatic
service who had learned the facts acci-
dentaliy revealed them to the American
Minister. Mr.. Taylor was astounded
when ne heard the details Of the plot
against his country.
A more timid man might have waited
to consult Secretary Olney before acting,
but Mr.. Taylor saw that no time was
to he lost. At any hour the Spanish poo
test might be sent out
While he was hesitating as to the wisest
course to pursue, one OF the six Ambassa-
dors called upon him. Mr.. Taylor blunt
ly informed the diplomat that he had
learned all the facts concerning the pro-
posed joint action OF Europe, and was
about 10 cable the whole matter to Wash
ington. Mr.. Taylor intimated strongly
his belief that the next business he would
have with the Spanish Government woull
be to dec nd his passport.
The Ambassador was aghast, and beg
ged the American Minister i'm the inter-
o+RC hI Ia 0F
the matter to Washington until he could
have a conference with the Duke Of
Tetuan Mr.. Taylor firmly declined to
suppress the matter. The diplomat earn
estly asked Mr.. Taylor to withhold his
cablegram to Secretary Olney for an
hour assuring him that before the ex-
piration of the time he would be sum-
moned to the palace.
VIGOROUS PROTEST TO THE
DUKE.
Mr.. Taylor consented to this delay, and
presently he received an invitation to call
upon the Duke OF Tetuan. The Spanish
Minister Of Foreign Affairs frankly con-
fessed the whole matter Mr.. Taylor de-
clared that what Spain proposed would be
even more offensive to the United States
than the alliance which provoked the de-
claration OF the Monroe doctrine, and
would inevitably lead to war.
He said that the American nation would
never tolerate such a direct insult from
Spain; that the issuance OF such an APP
peal to Europe by Spain, Immediately af-
ter the Presidents proclamation, would
be a deliberate and open imputation a
gainst the national honor and the good
faith of Mr.. Cleveland
THE ENTERPRISE TOTALLY A
BANDONED
The Duke OF Tetuan collapsed He
gave Mr.. Taylor his word OF honor that
the enterprise against the United States
should be at once abandoned.
That is the whole OF the matter I
have written the facts as simply as /
know how to write them.