The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-11
THE srAx1sn M1xrsrEn,s D1DEMmA
There H = DIGESTION Whistler re VIII ne
Recalled or VIII neu,nr.

CnhnRe IN tne spanish mlsSlOnnt washington. to
the disadvantnRe of the present Minister. ScNor
Dupuy de LONE. on account OF Mr.. Clevoland's
utterances about Cuba In his message to Con-
grass. For tho United States Government to
assume such an attitude toward Spain as thnt
which In taken In an official document OF the
first Importance Is n matter of serious concern
to the Canovas administration. That the clev-
crest diplomhtlst who within recent years has
been in Spain's service at Washington should
be unable to influence the American Govern
ment in o manner more favorable to Spain is
not to tho credit OF that diplomntist.
Whether Minister Dupuy de Lome will BIO ro-
called from Washington by the Madrid author
tiles or whether no will resign his Office is n
matter dependent upon the development of
circumstances and on results not yet manifest.
1t need not he thought that tho retirement OF
the Spanish Minister would be Indicative Of any
serious trouble between Spain and the United
States. 1t would signify nothing more than
that he has been unsuccessful In the most i'm.
portant of the duties with which he is entrusted,
that he had failed to induce this Government to
pursue a policy wholly In the interest OF Spain.
1t may be taken for granted that a SUCCESSOR to
him would DO appointed without delay and
without changing In any way the relations
between the two powers.
Senior Dupuy de LONE has held the Office for
puS T" ohoib tine. nuNlnR Deen appointed 10 III
early In the present year. His predecessor,
Senior Don Z. de Muruaga, was unpleasantly
situated at Washington after the Cuban war
had broken out. High hopes of the new Minis
ter were entertained at Madrid. It was there
believed that he possessed those talents which
were needed In his responsible office, that he
would deal judiciously with the delicate ques-
tions that wore likely to come up, and that he
would be able to smooth the way OF Spain ut
Washington. lie possesses O subtle mind. an
unusual amount of discretion, considerable ex-
perience. and fine manners. He can state a
case clearly in language both definite and i'm
p~ressive. He Is at once a thorough Spaniard
and a man of the world. a man OF affairs.
He very soon became a favorite at Washing
ton. He has been a most acceptable person at
the State Department, with which he has kept
up a closer intercourse than any other diploma
fist at Washington. He made many friends In
the Senate and in the House. and he was always
ready to present his views, in u courtly manner,
to any OF his Congressional acquaintance, or
TO any Government official who desired them.
He has also been an influential party at the
White House.
After the great triumph of Spain in Wash
ington n half year ago, when Mr.. Cleveland
shelved the Cuban belligerency resolutions
adopted by Congress, Srnor Dupuy de LONE
- no ~ W b"S iVAl lulhk Va "
lance, the s~toppage of vessels bearing supplies
to the Cuban insurgents. He labored for this
purpose with an energy not often exhibited by
any Spanish Minister. He employed a large
body OF detective agents. Spanish and Ameri-
can. who kept watch upon every suspected
ship. supplied to the United States
authorities. cleared the way for the seizure of
many suspects, and furnished the evidence I'M
der which the lawbreakers were brought be-
fore the United States courts. From the time Of
the FIRST seizure in the harbor OF New York to
this time the Spanish Minister has been con-
stantly on the alert for .libusters," and his
success became almost complete after Mr..
Cleveland issued his proclamation relative to
the sailing Of transferring American vessels
for Cuban waters.
The success of the Spanish Minister upon all
occasions was the cause OF great satisfaction at
Madrid. and for Premier Canovas, who ex-
pressed his full assurance Of the friendly dispo-
sition of the Cleveland administration
But OF what value are such successes as the
Minister has gained when. during the months
OF his service. Mr.. Cleveland has been "revolv-
ING in his mind" those sentences which stand
out In his message to Congressf Had SefIor
Dupuy lost his influence with the American
Government, with both Mr.. Cleveland and Sec
rotary O!ney? The President had been re-
garded Mt Madrid as n constant friend Of Spain,
and yet, at a time when Spain Is In the greatest
strsits, lie INDUCES in Language which looks to
Spain like the menace of a vainglorious enemy.
Here Is where the Minister of Spain to the
Government of the United States has been
taken at a disadvantage. He has failed in the
chief matter of concern. He has been unsuc-
cessful in his efforts TO keep the Administrator
on his side. That Is the damaging charge
which throws into obscurity all tho gains he
had previously won.
1t is probable that, until the Minister was ap-
prised of the nature OF the Cuban passages in
the message. shortly before the message was de-
livered TO Congress. he knew hardly anything
about the thoughts that had been revolving in
Mr.. Cleveland's head. and failed to convey to
his Government correct information regarding
Mr.. Cleveland's purpose. 1t is probable that
both the Spanish Minister here and the Spanish
Premier Mt Madrid were taken by surprise when
the contents of the message were divulged to
them. 1t was not possible to gain the informa-
tion many days In advance of Its publication,
for the reason that the Gu ban-Spanish section
of the message was composed. or rather revised,
but a few days before the opening of Congress.
Premier Canovas, however. doubtless holds
Selor Dupuy de LONE responsible In the mat
ter. and the latter doubtless apprehends the
perplexities OF the situation In which no hus
been placed. What dispatches may have been
exchanged between the two parties can be
known to themselves alone. Whether the
Premier shall recall the Minister at Washing
ton or whether the latter shall voluntarily for
ward his resignation to Madrid. no one outside
OF the Spanish Legation can tell.
Upon the occurrence OF any marked failure on
the part of n Minister. no may be Withdrawn
from his post without giving even the slightest
cause OF offence to the Government to which
L. -. l-
failure. the Minister may be prompted by q
sense OF honor to surrender his place.
The departure OF Senior Dupuy do LONE
from the country could not be regarded as
indicative OF any break In the peaceful relations
between Spain and the United States.
The Right Sort or Pine Shavings.