The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-10
OUR CoNsULs IN SPAIN.
All Have Been Given Permission to
Quit the Country.


Quit the Country.
WASHINGTON, April 9.-Permisson has
been given by the State Department to the
United States consuls in Spain to leave that
country if they so desire, pending the
threatened severance of all diplomatic re-
lations between Spain and this country.
They have not been ordered to leave as
such a step is not resorted to except in the
case of a rupture between the two nations,
but they are permitted to exercise their own
discretion in the matter The effects of the
consulates, such, for instance, as unimpor-
tant papers and furniture, will be turned
over to the representatives OF some friendly
government. AS Great Britain has author
lied her consular officers in Cuba to take
charge of the effects of all United States
consulates there, it is presumed like author
ity will be given the English consular OFF,
GERS in Spain. So far as the officials here
have been advised none of the consuls has
left his post in the peninsula.
1t is said at the State Department that
United States Minister Woodford at Madrid,
has not been actually recalled, but has been
given full discretion to govern his move
ments by the progress of events at the
Spanish capital. Under his instructions it
will not be necessary to formally recall him.
He has informed the department of his
purpose of remaining at his post of duty
so long as there is any possibility of rem
dering any service to his government, and
consequently unless the conditions at Mad
rid endanger his personal safety it is more
than probable that he will remain there up
to the time of the beginning of hostilities
between the two countries, If such a con-
dition results from the present crisis. 1t is
rln.s Al
personally popular in the Spanish capital
and that the authorities would leave nothing
undone to insure his safety, even after an
outbreak with the country which he repre-
sents. Should it become necessary, General
Woodford and the members of his official
family will have the protection of the Tsrit-
ish embassy until such time as they can
take their departure without moestaticn.
The State Department gave out the fol-
lowing to-day: Secretary Sherman, re-
ferring to the report in Madrid that the
Spanish legation at Washington had been
attacked remarked to-day that, as every
one here knows, there is no truth in it. but.
on the contrary, the Spanish minister is
highly esteemed here, is received every
where and is respected by all our people
If, as result of pending controversies, he
shall be recalled by his government, he
will carry with him the kindly regards of
the President and the members of the Cabi-
net as well as of the people generally
Mr.. Sherman's denial that the Spanish
legation had been attacked is in line with
Official denials which the Spanish minister
himself cabled TO Madrid. The minister
stated to-day that he at no time had at
tached any importance to the petty annoy
ances directed against the legation prop
erty and officials. 1t has been attributed to
Ignorant vandalism, mainly by small chill
dren. 1t can be stated in this connection
that Senor Polo in this matter has sought
to lessen the friction between the two gov
ernments rather than to increase it. Some
of the annoyances of late have been OF an
aggravating character, even though petty,
and were repeated again last night. Had
he been disposed to do so. the minister
might have made these indignities cause for
complaint. An indignity TO the German
coat of arms, in fact, was the final cause
of the rupture over the Caroline islands.
But Minister Polo has preferred to mini
mize these annoyances and to assure his
government by cable that he was receiving
every proper consideration here. The min
lister was somewhat annoyed to-day at a
published statement TO the effect that some
attache OF the legation had criticised Unit
ed States consuls for leaving their posts
IN Cuba through fear. The minister and
CONTINUED on seventh PageD