The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-02-18
THE DE LONE INSULT.
The Spanish Minister Refuses to
Deny Its Authorship.
uis Early Recall VIII he Demanded Minis-
ter Woodford Directed tn Lay the facts
Before the spanish Government
Precedent for spain To Follow.

WASHINGTON, Feb. iO.-The publica-
ton in the morning newspapers ot
an alleged copy OF an autograph
letter written by Senior de LONE. the
spanish minister, to his friend. Cam
alejas, criticising the president with
he utmost freedom. caused sensation
N official Washington and soon will be
'ollowed by Minister DE Lome's depart.
are from the United States.
At the outset there was disposition
q question the authenticity of the let
Ter. but as. bit by bit. the circumstan-
.al evidence accum ulatcd. il was
enally announced officially that the
minister declined to deny the anthem
sicity of the letter. all doubt was dissi-
2ated and the only question that re-
manned was as To the line Of action to
DC pursued by our government toward
.he offending minister.
The writing of this letter is unqucs-
lionably an offense against the ameni-
lies of diplomatic relations. and such
offenses almost Invariably have been
regarded in the United States. as in
other capitals, as sufficient ground for
the termination of the official status at
the letter writer.
As soon as the letter appeared in the
press. the state department officials be-
gan an effort to settle its authenticity,
and when il had learned all that could
be developed on this point and had
been told that the minister himself
refused To deny writing it, the consid-
Grafton of the next step began.
Assistant Secretary Day was in con-
sultation with the president on the sub
iect at least four times during the Off
cial day, and then spent much time in
framing his message to United States
Minister Woodford at Madrid
The official statement Of the sending
Of this message was accompanied by a
declination to indicate its contents nj
this time. the department merely Civ.
ing to the press the following state
ment:
Minister de LONE does not deny
writing the letter. This department
has communicated with Gen Woodford
on the subject. Until that communi.
cation reaches the Spanish government
it would be improper to in any manner
sthet AhC tohieiits vi iut Lut>SdVt 10
Gen. Woodford.
While the department refused to ado
anything to this meagre announcement
1t can be stated without question that
Mr.. Woodford was directed to Law the
facts developed before the Spanish gov
eminent together with the statement
that in view of the minister's refusal tc
deny the authorship of the letter. the
Spanish government is looked to with
confidence to deal with the case prop
erly. This amounts to an invitation
TO recall the minister, presum
ing that he himself has not already
taken steps to vacate his position. Nc
doubt is entertained of compliance
with the implied suggestion. but in
rase there should be undue delay in act
ing,the state department may feel called
upon to move directly in the matter
and give the minister his passports as
was done when Sir Julian Pauncefote's
predecessor wrote the celebrated Muir.
Gibson letter
lnasmuch as the line Of action in
that case may form the basi, for action
IN this. always presuming that the
Spanish minister does not himself cut
the knot and relieve the government
from the necessity OF performing a dis
agreeable duty. it may be stated that
with Lord >acl1villc the department o,
state itself initiated the action.