The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-11
De LONE AND LETTER
1t Never Reached the Span
ish Capital.
TO EXPRESS REGRETS
NO FORAIALITIES BETWEEN
M'KINLEY AND DE LONE.
AND THERE is NO WAR CLOUD ARISING
No Incident Has Created Such CONSERVATION
in Washington Diplomatic Circles
Since the SackviIe West
Incident.

Incident.
Washington, ID. c., Feb. 10.-In view
of the news from Madrid of the accept
ance of the resignation of the Spanish
Minister, it may be stated that our gov
ernment is not disposed to split hairs
over the method of the offending Min
listers retirement. In other words, it is
not concerned as to whether he re-
signs or is recalled, so long as he leaves
the capital. 1t is true that the exact
language of the message sent by the
State Department to Mr.. Woodford in,
dictated the Presidents desire that the
Minister be recalled, but the language
was used as the most proper for such
an occasion, and must not be taken 20
mean that the President is disposed to
20 further than is necessary in the pur-
suit of Mr.. Dupuy De LONE, now
10 longer an official of the Spanish
government representing it at Wash
ington, but simply a Spanish citizen lin
gering at the capital only long enough
to pack up and remove his effects.
The Madrid cable to the Associated
Press was communicated 10 the Spanish
Minister, and was his first knowledge
that action had been taken by the Ca
binet and Queen. The official notif-
cation had not reached him up to 1 80
p. IN. The acceptance of the resigna
ton was fully expected and occasioned
no surprise or change OF plans. The
effect of the acceptance Is TO close SenoT
BIpuy De LOgne's services as Spanish
Minister at Washington. The future
status Of Senor De LONE is matter of
doubt. One Of two courses is open 30
his government, a recall 10 Spain or a
transfer 10 another diplomatic post a
recall without designation to another
post would leave Hmm in the ranks of
the diplomatic service on waiting or
ders. This is the position Of Sen0r
Muruaga, who preceded De LONE here
In case Of a desire TO transfer him
to another post. there are number OF
important Spanish embassies and lega-
tions available. In some quarters it is
thought that the sentiment of the
Spanish people would approve transfer
of this character, but it is believed to
be more probable that the Spanish gov
ernment will wait until the strain of
the incident is over before deciding the
: future Of its retiring Minister. This is
the more likely since Senior De L0me
is not a Liberal but belongs to the Con-
servative party, which is now out of
power.
The action of the Cabinet in designat-
ing the first Secretary as Charge d
Affairs leaves a question as to wheth-
er Senor Pablo Soler or Senor Du Bost
viii be IN temporary charge, both having
rank as first secretary. 1T had been un-
derstOOd that Pablo Soler would be NAM
ed, but at the legation it was SAIL moth
ing definite could be stated until the Of
fetal notification from Spain was re-
ccfyed.
III, 10 the close of office hours the
State Department had not hearl from
Mr.. Wo0dford, it was said. However.
there was no disposition TO question the
correctness OF the report of the Spanish
Cabinets action upon his resignation.
and the opinion is entertained that the
matter is now practically settled. 1t is
i,elieyed that when Mr.. Woodfoed il
heard from it wall be in the shape Of
llessage saying that the Spanish gov
.sFnfnenf expresses regret at the incident:
that the resignation of Mr.. Dupuy De
LONE makes It unnecessary to 90 fcrtli-
or I'm the direction of the request 0i
the President for his recall, and an
Tloupces that the first secretary OF tho
legation will conduct its business in
Washington until another minister is
Isned.
Under the peculiar circumstances eX-
jsting, the ceremony attending the de-
DaftHre Of the Spanish Minister are
attended with much doubt. 1t is usual
when a foreign representative leaves
the country for him to be received III
formal audience at the White House.
whore an exchange of well wishes takes
place between him and the President.
III ls hardly expected that this formality
VIII be observed in the present case
owing TO the personal aspects Of the in
cident. In cases that approach this in
most respects the Minister has usually
allowed his letters of recall to be pre-
seDted by his successor. 1t may be re-
called that Senor Muruaga, who was
Senor Dupuy DE Lome'S predecessor.
left Washington suddenly on leave of
absence, shortly after the appearance
in "a newspaper of an interview in which
he criticised our government He did
not return to Washington, but Senor
Dupuy DE LONE appeared with the let
tiers Of recall of his predecessor and
letters accrediting himself as his sue
cessor. SO that there is precedent for
a failure on the part of the retiring
Minister to take formal leave of our
officials. II is said at the State Depart
ment that there is no time limit within
which Mr.. Dupuy De LONE must leave
Washington and, being now only a pri,