New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-10
Dr LOVES LETTER AND RECALL.

y
The Spanish Minister TO the United States
n SeNor De Lone can still be spoken or
as the Spanish Mlnister-has been recalled in
disgrace. has had his last interview with Off
Gals Of the State Department, and VIII depart
for Madrid as soon as possible. His stupendous
blunder Is one often committed by politicians,
less often by diplomats; and yet public records
show that no class and scarcely any type or
men is proof against the folly which has led
70 Senior De L0me's downfall The Incredibly
with which the first report OF his insulting OBJ
servations concerning the President was re-
ce,yed did not indicate disbelief in the posi-
hlty Of such rashness on the part OF public
mon. but the prevalence Of an opinion credtable
n the prudence. sagacity and friendliness OF
the individual accused That opinion must now
be abandoned with regret before the indubi-
table disclosure that the trained and expert
enced diplomat has committed an indiscretlon-
TO phrase It most mildly-that would have Deen
astounding and objectionable in the verlest
novice. For Sehor De LONE to cherish within
his own mind the sentiments expressed IN his
letter was TO do gross injustice to the Govern
ment 10 which he was accredited, ana which
from first TO last has treated him with every
refinement Of generous courtesy. For him 10
impart them in writing 10 another, in semi
public station. by whom they would lnevltaply
be used to influence public and perhaps Official
opinion 10 the detriment OF this Government,
and to the stranng Of peaceful relations De
tween the two countries. was grave interna-
tional offence.
Ry virtue Of an exquisite piece OF that
poetic justice" which is more proverbial than
practical Senior De L6me's wrong doing entails
upon itself its most convincing condemnation
and vndcates in the most ample manner the
object of it's attack. The President whom he
denounced as weak has displayed in this I'M
happy crisis as through all his dealings with
Spain and Cuba an admirable frmDess and
tranquility Of resolution. The President whom
he maligned as guilty OF coarseness has acted
with a delcacy which the most fastidious
Grandee might proftably emulate; for instead
of exercising his undoubed right to dismiss the
offending Minister or 10 request his immediate
recall as no longer persona grata, Mr. Mckinney
has considerably permitted the Spanish Gov
eminent 10 take the initiative and summon
Senior De LONE back to Madrid on its own volt
ton. In that generous act Of forbearance the
President has shown himself not unmindful or
his own dignity and the Nations honor, yet
fully mindful OF the distracted state of Spain
and OF the susceptibllites Of that proud and
suffering nation He will be all the more re-
spected and honored for it by his felOw-citi-
zens and will at least be entitled TO need OF
gratitude from the Government and people OF
Spain.
1t Is fitting though perhaps scarcely neces-
sary. to point out that this deplorable Incident
does not essentially affect the relations between
the United States and Spain, or the attitude or
this country toward the Cuban insurrection.
The Madrid Government has with praseworthy
promptness repudlated all responsibility for
Senor De L0Ine's insulting utterance by remov-
ing him from the place he has shown himself
conspicuously unfit longer TO fill. II VIII no
doubt send in his stead some acceptable envoy,
and friendly diplomatic intercourse between
the two Governments will continue unchecked.
AS for Cuba, 1t may profit from the inevitable
moral effect of the incident. but not necessarily
otherwise If the insurgents were not entitled
to recognition yesterday, an insult TO the Presl-
dent Of the United States, by whomsoevcr
offered. does not entitle them TO It to-day. The
conduct of this Government In such matters IS
decided by judgments Of the merits of the case,
and not by the eplstolary manners OF foreign
diplomats. A just judge IS not swayed from
the path Of recttude by the offensive bearing
of either litigant's attorney. This Government
will still obey the dictates Of reason and of JUS
tice. and II is to be believed that in so doing it
will command the continued friendship of Spain
and az the same time serve the ends Of peace
and of humanity in Cuba.