Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-02-11
De LONE OUT.
Spanish Cabinet Has Accepted
the Minister'S Resignation.
WASHINGTON COMMENT.
Some Have Words of Sympathy
for the Diplomat.
Others Believe Spain by Permitting De
Lone to Resign, condones in a
y Measure the offense.
WASHINGTON COMMENT.


Washington, Feb. 10.--An official
statement, issued this morning by the
state department, banished whatever
shadow of doubt may have remained as
to the authenticity of the De LONE let
ter. The statement was embodied in the
cablegram sent Wednesday to Minister
Woodford. 1t is as follows: There has
appeared in the public prints letter ad-
dressed by the Spanish minister to Mr.
Ganalejas. This letter, the minister adj
nlits was written by him 1t contains
expressions concerning the president of
the United States of such character
as to end the minister's usefulness as a
representative of his government in this
country. Gen. Woodford, therefore, was
instructed at once to say. to the minister
of state that the immediate recall of Mr..
Dupuy de LONE is expected by the pres
ldent."
Up to the close of office hours the state
department had not heard from Mr.
Woodford. 1t was said, however, that
there was no disposition to question the
correctness of the unofficial report re-
ceived today from Madrid stating that
the Spanish cabinet had accepted the
minister's resignation, and the opinion is
entertained that the matter is now pkac-
tically settled
1t is believed that when Mr.. Wood
ford is heard from it will be in the shape
OF a message saying that the Spanish
government expresses regret at the in
cident; that the resignation of Senior de
LONE makes it unnecessary to go furth-
IrN
quest of the president for his
recall, and that the first secretary of the
legation will conduct it's business in
Washington until another minister is
named. Under the peculiar circumstan-
ces existing the ceremony attending the
departure of the Spanish minister are
attended with much doubt. 1t is usual
when a foreign representative leaves the
country. for him to be received in for
NAL audience at the White House, when
an exchange of well wishes takes place
between him and the president. 1t is
hardly expected that this formality will
he observed in the present case owing
to the personal aspects of the incident
In cases that approach this in most re-
speets, the minister has usually all
lowed his letters of recall to be present
ed by his successor. Senior Muruaga,
who was Senior de LoTne's predecessor
left Washington suddenly on leave of
absence, shortly after the appea rance
in newspaper of an interview in which
he criticized our government He did
not return to Washington, but Senior de
LONE appeared with the letters of recall
of his predecessor, and letters accredit-
ing himself as his successor. So that
there is q precedent for failure on the
part of the retiring minister to take for
NAL leave of our officials. 1t is said at
the state department that there is no
Il 7
must leave Washington, and being now
only a private Spanish citizen he may
take a reasonable time to arrange his
affairs here without calling for criti-
cism.
The De LONE letter has already at
tracted the attention of foreign govern
ments, and appears to be regarded by
them as an important factor in the
general Cuban question. Some of the
foreign ministers at Washington nave
advised their governments fully on the
occurrence These were misleading at
the outset for members of the diplo-
matte corps assumed that the letter was
forgery, and some advices conveyed
this view of the case. Now that its
genuineness has been established, the
facts nave been sent to most of the for
eign capitals. No incident in recent
days has caused such sensation in the
ranks of the diplomatic corps.
There is universal regret among the
ambassadors and ministers who have
4 been brought into close social relations
with Senior de LONE. Tt has also aroused
keen discussion as to the right of
criticism which minister can indulge
in under the seal of a private letter
While there is no general consensus of
opinion among diplomatic authorities
yet many of them take the view that
It is not only right but a duty for a
minister to present every detail, even
OF personal nature, which, in his judg-
ment. may aid in correct understand
ing of a case
The De LONE incident was the prin-
cipal subject of comment in all circles at
the capital today, and the uniform re-
signing pursued the only course left
open to him after the authenticity of his
letter had been established. In the
senate there were occasional expressions
of surprise that diplomat OF the expe-
rience of the Spanish minister should
have entrusted letter of that char
acter to the mails, and one or two SEN
ators expressed personal sympathy for
Mr. de LONE.
Senator Jones of Arkansas said: SIN
view of Mr.. de Lolnes unjustifiable at
tack upon the personal character of the
president of the United States, I should
have given him his passports at once
instead of asking for his recall
Senator Hale said: There was moth
ing left for De LONE to do but resign
after acknowledging the genuineness of
the letter Still, the incident is a mel
ancholy instance Of a mans injuring his
own fortunes, and possibly destroying
brilliant career by one unfortunate
misstep With this exception. De Lome's
career here, as the representative Of
his country at critical time, has been
entirely creditable and he has done
much to maintain amicable relations be-
tween the two nations. He has been
wise. prudent and conservative and
has done much to preserve peace when
many a less cautious man would have
been apt to commit AN offense that
would have resulted in hostilities, 1t
was certainly indiscreat on his part 10
write such letter, and commit 1t to the
mails and he should have known bet
ter. l have not conferred with De
LONE since the letter was made public,
but feel confident that the translation
given out gives it the harshest possible
tone. and l believe that a proper trans
lation would soften 1t very much. Per-
sonally, feel the deepest sympathy in
the matter. and am very sorry that De
x LONE is to retire but l do not allow my
self to think for moment that the in