Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-02-12
sAGAsTA MAKES A STATEMENT.
Tells How Ex-hiinister lie LONE Got Out
of His Omcial Position.

New York. Feb. 12.-Premler Sagusta
made the following statement regarding
the Dupey de LONE incident to a Mad
rid correspondent of the World last
night
we were profundily surprised when
the first intimation of the occurrence
came by the first telegram from Senior
Dupuy de LONE, saying that he had
been advised that the American news
papers We're about to publish n letter
lie had written to Senior Canalejas
which contained strong criticisms of
President Mckinley. He added that
this might make his remaining in
Washington undesirable. Therefore he
placed his resignation at the disposal
of the government.
As we were at a loss to understand
the matter, l instructed the minister
OF foreign affairs to telegraph again,
directing Senior de LONE to inform us
of the contents of the letter
"Senor de LONE replied that he did
not recollect them.
''De LONE resigned the night before
the letter was published.
Meanwhile the text of the letter was
published in New York.
Then Senior de LONE cabled. renew
ing his request that his resignation be
accepted soon, as his position was i'm
possible. He desired to leave America
because Assistant Secretary of State
LAY Huu Cdlleu upon MIN TO ask II he
was the auhtor of the letter, which he
had admitted.
$50 we went into council at the
palace having decided to tell the queen
that Senior de Lome's resignation was
necessary.
"In another councild. held i'm
mediately afterwards, we took all the
steps required to place the legation in
the hands of the able first secretary,
who is thoroughly acquainted with all
the pending political and commercial
questions that will not suffer delay un-
til a successor to Senior de LONE
reaches Washington.
The cabinet discussed many eligible
candidates, coming TO the conclusion to
let hte minister of foreign affairs Sc
lect Spain's future representative from
among the diplomats who know the
English language, have served in the
United states, and are competent to
conduct the commercial negotiations
81 firmly believ that the incident, al
though not pleasant for us. viii not
alter our present highly satisfactory
and pleasant relations with the United
States government. What confirms my
belief is that Gen. Woodrord, in his in
terview with Senior Gullon, declared
himself satisfied with the position of
the Spanish government In this affair
before he presented his note on the
subject.
when we first heard OF the De
LONE letter we sent for Senior Canale-
Jas, who assured us that he never re-
celved the letter and that 1t must have
been stolen In his hotel at Havana.
Senior Canaletas seemed astonished
that Senior de LONE should have writ
ten him SO. and he had only made his
acquaintance through letter Of intro
duction from Colonial Secretary Moret
when he went to Washington. and had
noticed that Senior de LONE had always
spoke TO him In the highest terms of
President Mckinley.
His dispatches contributed to the
excellent impression this government
had formed of President McKinley's
disposition and his ability to assist us
in keeping up the friendly relations. of
which we firmly trust the browning
act will be, ere long, n treaty between
the United States. Cuba and Spain
Some of the conservative Madrid
newspaper organs OF Gen. Weyler and
OF Romero Robledo show disposition
to take up the crudgel for De LONE,
although the majority of the press,
notably the liberal organs, including
even the Impartial aud the Heraldo.
centure him bitterly for having played
into the hands of the adversaries of
Spain in Cuba and the United States.