The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-26
WANTS TO FIGHT
GEN. FITz LEE.
Lieutenant Ramon de Caranza Sends
a Challenge.

WASHINGTON, Apfli -S.-hiN"'"''"'N
Ramon DE Carranza. of the Spanish Roy
al Navy. until recently naval attache or
the Spanish legation at Washington, has
challenged General Fitzhugh Lee and
Captain sighbee. OF the Maine to hghs
duels. The challenges were issued on
the night that the Spanish Minister with
drew from Washington. Lieutenant DC
Carranzn had determined upon TINS
course Of action Immediately after Gene
-al Lee aud Captain Sigsbee stated be-
foro Congress Committees. that In their
belief Spanish naval officers were re-
sponslble for the blowing up OF the
Maine
POLO FORBADE IT.
II made known his purpose to Minis
Ter Polo. who peremptorily forbade MIN
from issuing the challenge while he was
member OF the legation stan. Lieu
tenant De Carranza persisted tnat ms
official position in no way restricted MS
rights os a gentleman TO call an'tfor
pentIelnn % account. IT was finally ar
ranged that the issuance OF the challenges
should await the termination OK dlpio-
r6atic relations between Spain and the
United States whereupon Lieutenant De
Carranza would be absOlyed from any
restraint aSan official under Minister Polo
In the meantime the Spaniard consulted
Captain De La Casa. OF the Spanish
army. late military attache, MS CLOSEST
friend and the details Of the challenges
were arranged. Only Captain DO La
Casa and one other person were aware OF
what was done. the strictest secrecy being
enioined on all parties concerned on ae-
count Of the feeling against dueuing. The
secrecy is now broken. however by the
rumors current and the affairs OF inc
challenge are made public.
A COIrRTLY CHALLENGE.
1seutenaut De Carranza's first chal-
,crce was sent 10 General lee and 1t was
more lengthy than the one sent to cap
.oi, eirsbee. Il IS most deferential. even
courtlv. I'm tone, according to ;he tenets
NJ Auelling but aside from the challenge
proper It contains an intentional Insult
70 General Lee with a view TO provoking
him 10 an acceptance. The letter states
that General Lee in his testimony before
q congressional committee stated that
in his Judgment. Spanish officials eS'
,loded the mine which blew up the
Maine This. the Lieutenant asserts IN
his challenge. Is a direct reflection upon
ibe honor OF the naval officers who had
charge OF the defences Of Havana.
"Any man who makes such charge
on belief ana not on proof" the chal-
lenge proceeds. sis himself capable of
committing the crime
Lieutenant De Carranza refers to re-
ports that General Lee will return 10
Cuba as n Major General, and asks that
before he goes he will give the Lieuten-
ant the privilege of lighting him. The
challenge closes as follows:
For eight days [ shall await your an
swer at the Spanish Consulate at To-
ronto."
MAILED APRIL 10TH.
Tho challenge to General Lee was mall
ed at G.3O =. NJ on the Goth instant as the
Spanish Minister and his party were
| about TO take tine train. II was directed
| 10 the State Department, as General Lee
had been assigned a room at the depart
meut 1t happened however, that he had
gone 10 Richmond, so that It is not
known whether or not ne received the
letter the following morning.
Lieutenant De Carranza felt satisfied
! that General Lee would accept the ohal-
lenge, and that a meeting would occur
| probably on Canadian soil.
The challenge to Captain Sigsbee is
| substantially the same as that to General
Lee. but is briefer. The challenge was
| sent in care OF the Navy Department
| Captain sigsbee had previously left for
| philadelphia TO take command Of the
| auxiliary cruiser ST. Paul. so that the
! latter may not have received IT. Since the
| challenges were sent no word has reached
here as TO the purpose OF General Lee or
| Captain sigsbee
The dispatch from Toronto indicates
! that no acceptances or declinations have
! reached there.
| PHILADELPHIA. April 25.-Captaln
! Continued on Seventh Page