Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-02-12
DE- LONE MUST DEPART.
Spanish Minister actically Admits
Insulting the President
IN A LETTER TO A FRIEND.

The State Department Has Commune
Gated to Minister Woodford on the
Subject-A Report That De LONE Has
Already rendered His Resignation.
Washington, Feb. 10.-The publica-
ton in the morning newspapers of
what purported to be an autograph let
ter written by Senior Dupuy de LONE,
the Spanish minister, to his friend,
Canalejas, criticizing the president
with the utmost freedom, caused a SEN
sation in official circles here, and soon
will be followed by Minister de Lomes
departure from the United States. In
this letter Minister de LONE spoke of
President Mckinley as "a low poll
tician, catering to the rabble."
AT the outset there was a DISPOSE
ton to question the authenticity of the
letter, and a report was sent out that
the minister had pronounced it for
gerry, but as bit by bit the circumstan-
finally announced officially that the
minister declined to deny the author
ship of the letter, all doubt was dissi-
pated, and the only quootion thet re-
manned was as to the line of action to
be pursued by our government toward
the offending minister. The writing of
this letter is unquestionably an offense
against the amenities of diplomatic re-
lations, and such offenses almost inva-
rfably have been regarded in the Unit
ed States, as in other capitals, as suf-
ficient ground for the termination OF
the official status of the letter writer.
AS soon as the letter appeared in the
press the state department officials be-
gan an effort to settle it's authenticity,
and when it had learned all that could
be developed on that point, and had
been told that the minister himself re-
fused to deny writing it, the considera-
ton of the next step began. Assistant
Secretary Day was in consultation
with the president on the subject at
least four times during the official day,
and then spent much time in framing
his message to United States Minister
Woodford at Madrid. The official state
ment of the sending of this message
was accompanied by a declination to
indicate it's contents at this time, the
department merely giving to the press
the following statement:
Minister de LONE does not deny writ
ing the letter. This department has COM
the subject Until that communication
reaches the Spanish government it
would be improper to in any manner
state the contents of the message to
General Woodford."
While the department refused to add
anything 10 this meager announce
ment, it can be stated without ques-
ton that Mr.. Woodford was directed
to lay the facts developed before the
Spanish government, together with the
statement that in view of the minis
ter's refusal to deny the authorship of
the letter the Spanish government is
looked to with confidence to deal with
the case properly This amounts to an
invitation to recall the minister, pre-
Stunning that he himself has not alreaoy
taken steps to vacate his position
No doubt is entertained of a compli-
ance with the implied suggestion, but
in case there should be undue delay
in acting the state department would
feel called upon to move directly in the
matter and give the minister his pass
ports, as was done when Sir Julian
Pauncefote's predecessor, Lord Sack
ville-West, wrote the celebrated Muir
Gibson letter.
De Lome's Reported Resignation.
Philadelphia, Feb. 10. - Special dis