The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-06

OF spain, ana warning tne American
Government of the consequences
which must inevitably follow any
gross breach of international law
Under the cover of advice the
European nations were to make a
plain threat and practically dictate
the course of the United States If
l have made any error in this state
ment of the note which the Duke of
Tetuan read to the Ambassadors in
July, it is very slight inaccuracy,
The facts are as l write them.
President Cleveland's proclamation
advising the American people not to
violate the neutrality laws was a
shock to the diplomatic conspirstors
Two of the Ambassadors declared
that the Presidents action had des-
troyed the point of the proposed
European protest, and had taken
away any excuse which might have
existed for joiat action. The Duke
of Tetuan and the Austrian Ambas-
sador insisted, however, that Spain's
appeal to her sister nations should be
sent, in spite of the Presidents
friendly proclamation
One of the two reluctant Ambas.
sadors was won over by IT, argument
that the Spanish Crown was in dan
ger and must be upheld against the
michievous meddling Of the Uni
ted States.
At last the Spanish Government
drafted the Identical note in its fnal
form aod vas about to se0d it to the
FIRST class powers by specia couriers,
when a gentleman unconuecsed with
the diplomatic service who had learned
the facts accidentally revealed them to
tue American Minister. Mr. Taylor
was astounded when be heard the de-
tails of the plot against his country.
"A more timid man might have wait
cd to consult Secretary Oluey before
acting. but Mr. Taylor saw that no
time was to be lost. At any hour the
Spanish protest might be sent cut.
While he was hesitating as to the
wisest course to pursue. one Of the six
Ambassadors called upon him. Mr.
Taylor bluntly Informed the diplomat
that he had learned all the facts con-
cerDing the proposed joint action Of
Europe, aud was about to cable the
whole matter 20 Washington. Mr.
Taylor intimated strongly his belief
that the next business he would have
with the Spanish Government would be
to demand his passport
The Ambassador was agbast. and
begged the American Minister in the
interest Of Spain not to make any re-
port of the matter to Washington uutil
he could have conference with the
Duke of Tetuan. Mr. Taylor firmly
declined to suppress the matter. The
diplomat earnestly asked Mr.. Taylor to
withhold his cablegram to Secretary
Olney for an hour, assuring him that
before the expiration Of the time he
would be summoned to the palace.
Mr.. Taylor consented to this delay,
and presently be received an invitation
to call upon tie Duke Of Tetuan. The
Spanish Minister Of Foreign Affairs
frankly confessed the whole matter
Mr.. Taylor declared that what Spain
proposed would be even more offensive
to the United States that tbe alliance
which provoked the declaration of the
Monroe doctrine, and would inevitably
lead to war.
He said that the American nation
would never tolerate such a direct in
suit from Spain; that the Issuance Of
such an appeal to Europe by Spain, i'm
mediately after the Presidents procla-
nation. would be deliberate and open
imputation against the national honor
and the good faith Of Mr. Cleveland.
The Duke Of Tetuan collapsed. He
gave Mr. Taylor bis word of honor that
the enterprise against the United States
should be at once abandoned.
That is the whole of the matter. /
have written the facts as simply as /
kno1 how to write them.
1t is now within the power Of Con-
gress to ascertain the details of this ex-
traordinary conspiracy to coerce the
policy Of the American Goverome
and the mauner 10 which the peril was
averted
But there is one thing can say With
absolute certainty That is that nei-
ther Great Britain nor France will ever
consent to such an alliance should it be
again proposed, and that Austria is the
oulyEuropean power which has given
any proof of desire to aid in debating
the course of the United States in its
relations to the Cuban Republic.