The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-04
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WILLIAMS RESIGNATION,
The Reason Which Prompted 1t a
Carefully Guarded Secret.

Washington, March 3.-The report that
Ramon o. Williams had rendered his res
ignation as United States consul general
at Havana cannot be confirmed officially,
but it is understood on excellent author
ity that 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 with
draw from the consular service at this
critical aspect of the relations of Spain
and the United States is somewhat sur
prls1ng, particularly as he returned to
Cuba not many months ago with the
understanding, as it was supposed here,
that he would remain until the insur-
rection reached some definite settlement
1t was understood at that time that, Con-
sui General Williams had become a per-
soma non grata to the Spanish authori-
ties in Cuba for the reason that through
a West Indian express agency in Brook
lyn, with which his brother was con-
nected, an alleged underground method
of communication had been opened with
the insurgents.
1t was also said that while this was
put forward unofficially as a reason for
Mr.. Williams desired retirement, another
very potent factor in his unpopularity
was his insistence upon the rights of
American citizens to fair trial and treat
ment in Cuba. On this latter question
as to the rights of the United States con-
sui general TO act in a quasi-diplomatic
capacity and present remonstrances to
the captain general of Cuba when the
liberties or American citizens were in
volved, some very pointed correspondence
took place between Secretary Olney and
the Spanish minister in Washington.
In a letter dated Sept. rs, 1895, and laid
before congress by the President on Feb.
II last, Secretary Olney distinctly asserted
the right of the consul general to make
representations where the rights of his
countrymen were involved simply as the
local depository and delegate of the soVe-
reign power for the purposes and to the
extent of usages fixed by 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 waited a de-
cision on this matter at his home in Brook
lyn N. Y, returned to his post of duty
with a distinct recognition of his powers
of remonstrance in the name of the Unit
ed States.
Mr.. Williams came on to Washington
in response to a request and of the solicit
tation, it is understood, of the President
and the Secretary of State, decided to re-
turn to his post of duty.
Mr. Williams has been in continuous ser
vice in a consular capacity at Havana
since 1874. He, of course, speaks Spanish
ffuently and has discharged the duties of
his position with marked ability, though
alternately 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.