The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-12-04
WHY WILLIAMS QUIT.
He Became Persona Non Grata
to Spain.
HIS POLICY WAS TOO VIGOROUS,
He Defended Americans Under Strict
Interpretation of the Treaty Provisions.
Knew Too Much of SPANS Bloody
Actions Toward Americans

New YORK, Dec. 2.-Ramon o. Will
Jams, ex-consul general OF the United
States at Havana, has arrived at his
home in Brooklyn from trip through
England, France and Spain. He con-
sented TO talk for the first time concern
ing the circumstances of his resigna-
tion from office last year, which was
surrounded by some mystery and the
reasons for which have not before been
made public. There was talk az the
time that Mr.. Williams ard Secretary
of State Gresham differed regarding
the policy of this government toward
American citizens, but General Will
Jams declined to discuse that point. He
said that his resignation was given be-
Cause his activity III the cases of Amer
lean citizens under arrest made him
persona non grata to the Spanish gov
erument and made ms residence III
Havana unpleasant. The particular
episode in which Mr.. Williams incurred
the dislike of Spain, he says. Was hls
inslstance that SangulliY AguIue amt
Carlllo, who We're arrested Feb. "a, 1893,
as Insurgents and courtmaItlaled should
be tried i'll the civil courts, under
article Z of the treaty of 1895,
Mr.. Williams sand Both the cap
tain general and the lnsular secretary
vi state were entirely ignorant of the
existence of article Z. The captain gem
eral became offended because l de-
manded the transfer from military Ia
evil jurisdiction, and the case was 10
ported III such IL manner 10 the MadIld
government as To almost pIONUke the
revocation of my eAequatoI.
II was guided In tins by ii IeCollec-
ri ~a,t,nl..r NNlas.h h-,H
under my notice IN Cuba. L was Il
young man, employed a. clerk In Ha
yaua IN 1851 WHEN the CIlttenden men
were shot regardless OF the treaty of
1888 | was merchant III Havana
when the Nnglnius men were shot III
1913, an almost similar case,
"Again while l was there Zcccanea
an Italian American citizen, who had
gone, IepI esentIng certain Spanish elu
nents, To negotiate terms OF peace
with the insurgents III the eastern dc
puItmenT during the last insurrectIOn
in 1873. was arrested by the Spanish
| forces, tined by cOurtmartlal, CUu
demned to death and shot III the iUIi
at CabanaS. where Sanguilly and TIL,
Competitor prisoners are now held, IL
gardless of the safeguards of the treaty
/ of 1895 aud the safe conduct given Il
him by the Spanish minister at Wash
enabled me to make quick and earHes
defense of these men and 1t TIM
action on my paII that gave otfense I,
| the Spanish authorities In Cuba
i WAS then III Washington. Acting
| on the rule that no man of self TespeC
| would want to return to or enter AM
place where he believes he Is person;
| non grata and therefore not welcome
| resolved not to continue longer III TIM
position of consul general To the lslan'
| and sIgnIfied my desire to resign Th
| circumstances, however. We're of such
| character that / went back to Havana
resumed charge of the office and con
tinuvd the defense of SauguIllY untl
| the case was transferred TO the cIvI
| courts.
| "A few weeks before this the Ca>s n
| the American citizen, Jose CeprO. VIII
| had been arrested aud subjected [
courtmartial, and several other Amer
| lean citizens, had been treated the sam
way, and III consequence | WAS uU
able TO present my resignation III du
form until February, 1896
Mr. Williams said that he IetuIne
to Havana only on the earnest sUlIcIta
ton OF President Cleveland hImsel
and added that Secretary GTeSha III
subsequent illness and death occur e
TOO soon TO admit of his peIsondI'y el
planning to the seCIetaTy his views u
| the matter.