The record-union., 1898-02-10


ed beyond three years, and he has been
in charge throughout the most serious
phases of the Cuban complication.
When the Conservative Ministry fell
last autumn, it was generally supposed
that Premier Sagasta would send a
Liberal Minister to succeed Senor de
LONE, who is prominent Conservative
and a former Conservative Deputy. He
was continued at his post however, al
though ii was understood at the time
that he placed his resignation at the
disposal of the Spanish Government.
In the absence of any Official 1nfor-
nation of the writing of such lette.
it would be manifestly unfair and un-
just to the Spanish Minister to make
any statement at this time as to the
intentions of the State Department, T"
said Assistant Secretary Day, in answer
to a question as to what procedure
would be followed in treating the letter
written by Senor De LONE to Senor Ca
nalejas. 1t was said that up to noon
the department was absolutely ignor-
ant officially that such a letter had
been written. OF course, the publication
in the morning newspapers had been
seen. and had created sensation in
official circles. The President himself
was not long in ignorance of the matter,
for Assistant Secretary Day called upon
him early. and to the great disappoint-
ment of the large numebr of visitors
who We're patiently waiting in the lobby
to secure access to the President, word
came out that he could not be seen, ow
ing TO his great engroSsment with Off
cia business which was taken to mean
the Spanish Minister'S letter 1t was
after this conference that Mr.. Day made
his statement to a number of neWspa-
per men.
Secretary Sherman assumed a similar
position, though he let it be known that
the writing of such q letter as that pub
lished would constitute a breach OF
diplomatic etiquette of which our Gov
eminent must take notice.
AS no denial of the authenticity of
the publication has yet reached the
State Department it is believed that af-
ter a reasonable delay the matter will
he brought to the attention of the Span
ish Government through Minister
Woodford, presuming that no action has
been taken by the Spanish Minister
himself before that time, and a changed
may be expected in due order. The
letter being genuine, there is no excuse
that viii be acceptable to our Govern
ment
The rule as laid down in the Sackville
case is generally regarded as the stand
ard of precedence for our guidance in
such matters, though there are not lack
ing other precedents. To plead that the
l. hot .
not even addressed to an official or a
citizen of the United States Will not
suffice. Lord Sackvile set up such an
excuse. but President Cleveland de-
eiared it was insufficient, and the Min
lister was compelled to leave Washing
ton.
There are few Senators who had not
read the De LONE letter when the Sem
ate met to-day, but there We're compar-
atively few of them willing to express
an opinion upon it.
1T is a very serious matter" said Sem
ator Gray, of the Committee on Foreign
Relations: ito serious, indeed, to dis
cuss careessly. Mr.. De LONE is entl-
tied to a suspension of judgment until
the responsibility is more definitely de-
termined than at presnt."
IF it is true" said Senator Foraker,
also a member of the Foreign Relations
Committee, Mr.. De Lone ought to be
given his passports Immediately"
Senator Spooner: IF true, it is a gross
attack and most astounding, but / can
not discuss it. in view of the doubt as
to it's genuineness."
Senator Hawley: 1T is a matter for
the State Department to deal with, and
does not for the present come within
the domain of Congress. / have no
doubt that it will be properly handled
by the department."
Senator Stewart: THE sentiment ex-
pressed is in line with Spain's policy
and disposition. We do everything TO
ccnciliate the Spaniards; they recipro-
cate by despising u.s.
The De Lone incident was almost the
sole topic of conversation among the
members of the House. It's contents
We're considered such a manifest breach
OF diplomacy that many refused to cred
it it,
Chairman Hit of the Foreign Affairs
Committee, Chairman Dingley Of the
Ways and Means Committee and other
leading Republicans declined to express
any opinion at this time. On the as
sumption that the letter was authentic.
however. the opinion was almost unani-
nous that no self-respecting Govern
ment could tolerate such criticism of
its Chief Executive. and that Minister
de Lome's words had put an end to his
usefulness at this Capital. Some fear
was also expressed that the recall OF
Minister de Lone. while affairs Were II
the present delicate condition, might
precipitate a crisis.
DE LONE MAKES NO DENIAL.
WASHINGTON. Feb 9-Senor de
LONE received a number of callers dur
I ing the day, and To those sustaining a
| close relation to him he did not ques-
tion the authenticity of the published
! letter, making it clear that he would
scorn the subterfuge of a denial for
purposes of expedency. The only ques-
tion raised was as to the accuracy Cf
the translation, for the published trans
lations gave a severity to some of the
expressions on the President which
We're regarded as designed to magnify
the actual statements.
Among the Minister'S friends, the act
Of stealing a confidential letter and
making It public was considered IS
more reprehensible than the writing Of
the letter itself 1t was the general i'm
preston among the Ministers associated
with the diplomatic corps that while
the publication disclosed a grave inn
propriety. yet 1t was one that might
happen to any one OF them In the course
Of their confidential communications,
in which the greatest freedom of ex-
preston is used in order 10 convey a
fun understanding OF an international
| question.