The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-10
DBLOME DOESN'T DENY IT.
This is GiYsn Out CllCiaIly and EiniS-
ter WOOdtOTd Notified.
ACTION IS BEI,G CONSIDERED.
That of Lord SackvilIe West Affords Pre-
ccdcnt for Dismissing ihs Onending
Minister That Shouid be Necessary.
Senators Express themselves.

WASHINGTON, Feb 9.-The publica-
ton IN morning newspapers of what pur-
ported TO be an autograph letter written
by Senor Dupuy De Lone, the Spanish
Minister, to his friend Canalejas, criticis-
ing the President with the utmost Free
dom. caused a sensation In official Wash
ngton and soon will be followed by Minis
ter Le Lome's departure from the United
States.
AT the outset there was a disposition 20
question the autheticity of the letter. but
as bin by bit the circumstantial evidence
accumulated. until IL was finally am
nounced officially that the Minister de-
clned 70 deny the authorship Of the
letter, an doubt was dissipated and the
only question that remained was as 10
the line Of action 10 be pursued by our
govorsment toward the offending Minis
ter.
SERIOUS OFFENCE.
The writing of this letter is unquestlon-
ABLY an offence against the amenities OF
,lniomatic relations and such offences al
most Invariably have been regarded in
Che United States as i'm other capitals as
sufficient ground for the termination of
le official status OF the letter-writer. As
soon IS the letter appeared I'm the press.
.he State Department officials began an
effort TO settle its authenticity and when
they had learned an that could be de-
veloped on this point and had been told
that the Minister himself refused 10 deny
writing IT, the consideration Of the next
step began.
Assistant Secretary Day was in consul
4 tatiOn with the President on the subject
| at least four times during the official day
ana then spent much time In framing MS
message 20 United States Minister Wood
| ford at Madrid. The Official statement
I OF the sending Of this message was ac-
! companied by a caclination TO commu-
nicate its contents at this time. giving TO
the press the following statement:
DOES NOT DENY IT.
Minister De LONE does not deny writ
, ing the letter. This Department has COM
municated with General WoOdford on the
subject Until that communication reach
1 es the Spanish government it would be
| improper 10 IN any manner state the con-
! tents OF the message TO General Wood
| ford "
While the department refused to add
! anything TO this meagre announcement.
1t can be stated without question that
Mr.. WOodfOrd was directed 70 lay the
/ facts developed before the Spanish gov
ernment together with the statement that
| In view Of the Minister'S refusal 20 deny
/ the authorship OF the letter the Spanish
| government is looked 10 with confidence
20 deal with the case properly.
| This amounts 10 an invitation 10 recall
! the Minister. presuming that he himself
has not already taken steps 10 vacate his
! position. No doubt Is entertained OF a
compliance OF the implied suggestion. but
in case there should be undue delay IN
acting the State Department would feel
called upon 10 move directly I'm the mat
ter and give the Minister his passports.
! as was done when SIR Julian Paunce-
| fote's predecessor who wrote the cele-
/ brated Murchison letter.
! The circumstances under which letter
OF this character could escape from the
privacy If the two persons between whom
il raesed evoites much comment. The
c-aro-al belief Is tha' Il was never DO
liv@-ed TO senior Canalejas. but was stolen
while en- route.
CANALEJAs VISIT.
Canaleias was IN Washington some
months ago and then went 10 Cuba for
| the purpose OF observing the condition OF
dWiirS LNefe. a, loINlNl AlHAetci ia
Liberals Cabinets-haNng been Minis er
Of Justice-and as editor Of FL Heraldo.
at Madrid, he was accorded a warm re-
cepton by Minister Dupuy DeLome, VINO
gave a banquet in his honor. which was
attended by a number OF prominent pub
lie men. lie then left for Cuba. and MS
mission necessarily brought him into con-
tinued correspondence with Minister de
LONE.
As the letter bears no date. the tine
that II was forwarded can only be fixed
hv the context. That II was after the
Presidents message is evident. The
mention OF the approaching autonomous
Cabinet establishes that IL was before
the Inauguration Of the Cabinet. jan
uary lst. This places the letter. accord
ing 70 the prevailing impression as having
heen written about the middle of Decem-
Der. At that time S'nOr Canaleias Is
understood TO have been at Havana,
prosecuting his mission. The handling
OF the mail Is done by the Spanish author
tiles. so that In this case 1t Is believed
the loss OF a letter OF this character