The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-26

1t was finally arranged that the isMi-
ance OF the challenges should awai. the
termination of diplomatic relations between
Spain and the United States. whereupon
Lieut.. de Carranza would be absoived
from any restraint as an official under
Minister Polo In the meantime. Lieut..
de Carranza consulted his close personal
friend. Capt. de la Casa. of the Spanish
army. late military attache here, and the
details Of the challenges were arranged.
Only Minister Polo. Capt. de 10 Casa and
one other person were aware Of what was
done. the saricfest secrecy being engen-
dered and all parties. according to the eth
ics Of duelling. which give to the party chal-
lenged the privilege of making public the
facts IN the transaction. This secrecy is
now broken. however by the rumors cur
rent and the facts of the challenges are
made public.
Lieut.. de Carranza's first challenge was
sent TO Gen. Lee. and Is rather more
lengthy than the one TO Capt. Sigsbee.
1t If most deferential. even courtly
according 10 the tenets OF duelling bu.
aside from the challenge proper il con-
tains an Intentional insult 10 Gen. Lee,
with view TO provoking him TO an ac-
ceptance. The letter states that Gen.
Lee. in his testimony before a congress
sional committee stated that I'm his judg-
nent Spanish officials exp.oded the mine
which blew up the Maine. This Lieut..
de Csrranza asserts in his challenge is "A
direct reflection upon the honor OF the
naval officers who had charge of the de-
lenses Of Havana.
ANY man who makes such charge on
belief. and not on proof" the challenger
proceeds. lis himself capable of commit
ting the crime
He refers 20 reports that Gen. Lee viii
return TO Cuba as a major general and
asks that before he goes he viii give the
lieutenant the privilege OF fighting him.
The challenge closes as follows:
For eight days / shall await your an
swer at the Spanish consulate in Toron-
to-"
The challenge to Gen. Lee was mailed at
.. $50 p. IN. on the eoth inst, az the Spanish
minister and his party were about TO take
the train the state department having
furnished him his passports that after
noon. 1t was directed to the state depart
ment. as Gen. Lee has been assigned from
that department. II happened. however,
that he had gore to Richmond. 20 that IL
Is net known whether he received the let
ter the following morning.
Lieut. CarranZa felt satisfied that Gen
| Lee would accept the challenge and that
i meeting would occur probably on Cana
dan soil.
The challenge 70 Capt. Sigslee IL SUBJ
| stant.ally the same az that to Gen Lee.
but Is slightly hriefer. owing 10 the omis-
zion OF the Phrase relating TO the generals
return to Cuba as a major-general. In
| this challenge. also eight days are given
during which reply may be sent 10 the
Spanish consulate at Toronto. The chai-
lfnge was sent TO the navy department
/ Capt. Siesbee had previously left for Phil
adelphia to take command OF the auxl-
ary cruiser ST Paul SO that the letter
NAV not have reached him. Since the
challenges were sent no word has reached
mere as 20 the responses OF Gen Lee
OF capt Sigsbee. The dispatch from To-
| ronio indicates that no acceutances or
declarations have been received.
Lieut. Carranxa made known h.s DUR