Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-09

letter was authentic or not, but speaking
generally, he thought the burden Of proof
en- that point was on the Cuban junta. In
the absence of any official information on
the subject, he said, he must be excused
from discussing the matter further. and
he declined to indicate even remotely what
the course of procedure would be in the
event that the letter was genuine.
Talk Mt the Capitol.
There were few senators who had not
read the letter criticising this country and
the present administration attributed to
Minister Dupuy De LONE when the Senate
met today. but there were comparatively
few of them willing to express an opinion
upon it.
tor Gray of the committee on foreign rela-
ions. too serious indeed to discuss care
lessly. Mr.. De LONE Is entitled to a sus-
pension of judgment until the responsibility
is more definitely determined than at pres
emit
IF it is true said Senator Foraker. also
member of the foreign relations COM
mitteA Mr.. De LONE ought to be i'm
mediately given his passports"
Senator Spooner: IF true. 1t is gross
attack and most astounding. but 1 cannot
discuss it in view of the doubt as to its
genuineness.
Senator Hawley: at Is a matter for the
State Department to deal with and does not
for the present come within the domain
OF congress. L nave no QOuDl IL Will DS
properly handled by the department.
Senator Stewart: 1.-The sentiment ex-
pressed is in line with SPANS policy and
disposition. We do everything to conciliate
the Spaniards: they reciprocate by despis-
ing us.
Senator Culom of the foreign relations
committee: The genuineness of the letter
is too uncertain to justify its discussion,
but if genuine Mr.. De LONE would certainly
deserve dismissal
Senator Clarke. also of the foreign rela-
tons committee: Mr.. De Lomes disa-
vowal is satisfactory to me and it will, L
have no doubt, settle the matter
Chairman Hit of the foreign affairs COM
mittee. Chairman Dingley of the ways and
means committee and other leading repub-
licanS declined to express any opinion at
this time. On the assumption that the let
ter was authentic, however, the opinion
was almost unanimous that no Self-reSpect-
ing government could tolerate such criti-
csm of it's chief executive and that Min
lister de Lome's words had put an end to
his usefulness at this capital. Some fear
was also expressed that the recall of Min
lister de LONE while affairs were in the
present delicate condition might precipitate
a grave crisis.
The democrats were much more free In
the expression of opinion than the republi-
cans. MIR. Berry (ky), member OF the
foreign affairs committee, said II the fetter
proved to be genuine the Spanish minister
should be made TO walk the plank. "A Dip
lomatic officer who would so far forget the
first principles of his profession as to SO
outrageously criticise the official head OF
the country to which he is credited Is not
deserving of sympathy. His government
should be notified as soon as the genuine
ness of the letter is established that he is
persona non Srata-
Mr. William Alden Smith (Mich.). men,
Der of the foreign affairs committee, said:
Il regard the letter. If authentic. as a
serious affront calling for as radical treat
ment as was administered to Lord Sack
willie West in 1855"
It's Genuineness Not Doubted.
A prominent correspondent. connected for
many years with the United Press, said to
reporter of The Star this afternoon, in
discussing the De LONE letter. that he had
not the slightest doubt of its authenticity.
While connected with the United Press he
had occasion many times to handle letters
from De LONE and became familiar. not
only with his style of writing but his pc
culiar way of expressing himself. The in
serton of a French phrase now and then
was characteristic of the man. and he was
certain one could be without seeing
the letter written that 1t came from the
hand of De LONE. Others who are famil-
lar with Mr.. De Lome's handwriting and
his methods of expression have no doubt
of the genuineness of the Canalejas letter