The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-10

Inc general petlSI IL I1at III was never
delivered to Senior Canalejas. but was
Washington some months ago and then
went to Cuba for the purpose of obsery-
ing the condition nf affairs there. As a
former minister in the liberal cabinets.
having been minister of justice and as
editor of Ell Heraldo. at Madrid, he was
accorded a warm reception by Minister
Dupuy de LONE. who gave a banquet
In his honor. which was attended by a
number of prominent business men. He
then left for Cuba and his mission
necessarily brought him into continued
correspondence with Minister de LONE.
As the letter bears no date, the time ii
was written can only be fixed by the
contents. That it was after the presi-
dents message is evident The mention
of the approaching autonomous cabinet
establishes that it was before the inau-
guration of the cabinet, Jan. /. This
places the letter. according to the pre-
vailing impression as having been writ
ten about the middle of December. At
that time Senior Canalejas is known to
have been at Havana prosecuting his
mission.
The handling of the mails is done by
the Spanish authorities, SO that in this
case it is believed that the loss of the let
ter could only be one of two ways
either through the treachery of an Off
cial at the postoffice, or by being taken
after it had reached the house where
Senior Canalejas was staying. The ef-
feet of the letter on the future of Minis
ter de LONE arouses interest His Serv-
ice as minister has now extended be-
yond three years and he has been in
charge throughout the most serious
phases of the Cuban complication. When
the conservative ministry fell last au-
tumn it was generally supposed that
Premier Sagasta would send liberal
mi to 1. r hT
is a prominent conservative and a for
mer conservative deputy. He was con-
tinued at his post, however, and it was
understood at the time he placed his
resignation at the disposal of the Span
ish government.
In the absence of any official infor-
nation of the writing of such a letter.
it would be manifestly unfair and unjust
to the Spanish minister to make any
statement at this time as to the inten-
tions of the state department" said AS
sistant 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 Canalejas.
1t was said that up to noon the depart
ment was absolutely ignorant officially
that such a letter had been written or
course, the publication in the morning
newspapers had been seen and had cre-
ated a sensation in official circles The
IS
norance of the matter for Assistant
Secretary Day called upon him early
and to the great disappointment of the
large number of visitors who were pa
tiently waiting in the lobby to secure
access to the president. word came out
that he could not be seen, owing to his
great engrossment with official bust
ness, which was taken to mean the
Spanish minister's letter. 1t was after
this conference that Mr.. Day made his
statement to number of newspaper
men. Secretary Sherman assumed a
similar position, though he let it be
known that the writing of such a letter
as that published would constitute a
breach of diplomatic etiquette of which
our government must take notice.
As no denial of the authenticity of the
publication has yet reached the state de-
partment it is believed that after a
reasonable delay the matter will be
brought to the. attention of the Spanish
government through Minister Wood
ford presuming that no motion has been
taken by the Spanish minister himself
before that time, and that change in
the representation of Spain at Washing
ton may be expected in order.
The letter being genuine, there is no
excuse that will be acceptable to our
government The rule. as laid down
in the Sackville case, is generally re-
garded as the standard precedent for
our guidance in such matters, though
there are not lacking other prece-
dents.
To plead that the letter was purely
personal, that it was not even ad-
dressed to an official or citizen of the
United States. will not suffice. Lord
Sackville set up such an excuse, but
President Cleveland declared ii was in
sufficient and the minister was COM
PEELED to leave Washington.
frN
not read the De LONE letter when the
senate met to-day but there were COM
paratively few of them willing to ex-
press an opinion.
1T is very serious matter" said
Senator Gray of the committee on for
eign relations. too serious to discuss
carelessly. Mr. De LONE is entitled TO
a suspension of judgment until the re-
sponsibility is more definitely deter
mined than at present"
IF it is true" said Senator Foraker
also a member of the foreign relations
Mr.. De Lone ought to be
given his passports Immediately
Senator Sponner-If true. ii is a gross
attack and it is most astounding, but /
cannot discuss it in view of the doubt
as to its genuineness.
Senator Hawley-ft 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 1t will be properly handled
by the department.
Senator Stewart-The sentiment ex-
pressed is I'm line with Spain's policy
and disposition. We do everything to
nonciiiate the Spaniards. they recipro-
cate by desrisng MS
New York. Feb. 9.--The Press this |
says that representatives of |
the Cuban junta yesterday gave out |
copies of the letter signed Enrique |
Depuy De Lone" who is minister of |
Spain at washington, and addressed to |
lose Canalejas, who went to Cuba last |
September as Premier Sagasta.s per- |
sonal representative. In this letter the |
Spanish minister refers 10 President |
Mckinley as weak and catering to the /
rabble" and as a low politician who I
desires to stand we'll with the iingoes |
IF his party
The Washington correspondent of the /
Df.f.Ss 4J...& l.