The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-10

washington, req. 3.-Ihe publication
in the morning newspapers of what is
supposed to be an autograph letter
written by Senior De LONE, the Spanish
minister, to his friend Canalejas, criti-
cising the president with the utmost
freedom, caused a sensation in official
circles and soon will be followed by
Minister De Lome's departure from the
United States. AT the outset there was
disposition to question the authen-
ITCHY of the letter, but bit by bit cir
cumstantial evidence accumulated, I'M
til when 1T was finally announced Off
ciaily that the minister declined to
deny the authenticity of the letter all
doubt was disspated, and the only
question that remained was as to the
line of action to be pursued by our
government toward the offending min
lister. The writing of this letter is un-
questionably an offense against the
amenities of diplomatic relations. and
such offenses have almost invariably
been regarded in the United States, as
in other capitals, as sufficient ground
for the termination of the official status
of the letter writer.
As soon as the letter appeared in
the press the state department officials
began an effort to settle its authentic
lty, and When 1t had learned all that
could be developed on this point and
been told that the minister himself re-
FUSED TO deny writing it, the consider
alton of the next step began.
Assistant Secretary Day was in con-
sultation with the president on the
subject at least four times during the
official day, and then spent much time
in framing his message to United
States Minister Woodford at Madrid
The official statement of the sending of
this message was accompanied by a
declination to indicate its contents at
this time, the department merely Civ
ing to the press the following state
ment:
Minister De LONE does not deny
writing the letter. This department
has communicated with General
Woodford on the subject. Until that
communication reaches the Spanish
government 1t would be improper to
in any manner state the contents of the
message to General Woodford." +"
While the department refused to add
to this meager announcement. it can
be stated without question that Mr..
Woodfofd was directed to lay the facts
developed before the Spanish govern
ment. together with the statement that
in view of the minister's refusal to
deny the authorship of the letter, the
Spanish government is looked to with
confidence to deal with the case prop
erly. This amounts to an invitation to
recall the minister, presuming that he
himself has not already taken steps to
yacate his position. No doubt is en-
tertained of a compliance with the i'm
piled suggestion, but in case there
should be undue delay in actino. the
department would feel called upon to
move directly in the matter and give
the minister his passports, as was done
with Sir Julian Pauneefote's predeees-
SOr who wrote the celebrated Murpbi-
son letter.
The publication of a letter bearing
the signature of the Spanish minister
Dupuy De LONE. addressed to Senior
Canaleias and making severe structures
on President Mckinley, has created a
profound impression in official circles,
and 1T is expected to bring about inn
portant results in the immediate fu-
ture. The authenticity of the letter
cannot be established from any official
source. nor is any denial of it given
from any quarter. A strong impress
sion prevails that the letter is genuine
in its substantial features. Little
doubt exists in official circles that If
the genuineness of the letter is fully
established it will result in the retire
ment of De LONE and his replacement
by another minister. At the Spanish
legation every avenue of inquiry as to
the letter is closed. The minister posi-
lively declines to be seen concerning
1iE SuhIAii f1H VIII HRl1nPF aIIlffn nor
deny the accuracy of the letter as a
whole or in part.
The information of the state depart
ment is necessarily limited on a COM
Of this character, as IL has
not passed through official circles tt
is not communication of the Snanish
To his government being to
Senior Canaleias, who is not a member
of the Snanish cabinet. although Of
such high standing as TO be an advisor
Of the government The letter is said
to be far removed from such Official
communications as come tn the atten-
tion of the state department II is not
aynected- therefore. that the fienart-
rnent viii be able to throw any lieht on
the matter for the present at least
The circumstances under which lei
ter Of this character should eScane froro