The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-10

the State Department..
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 9. = Special
dispatches from Washington received
in this city state that Minister De
LONE cabled his resignation to the
Spanish government once yesterday
and twice today, but up to late hour
he had received no reply from Madrid.
MADRID, Feb. 10 CmidnighD.-Th
De LONE letter incident is regarded
here as a jingoist intrigue to disturb
the relations between the United
States and Spain.
LONDON, Feb. 10-With the excep-
tion of the Daily Mail, the morning
papers do not comment on the De
LONE incident. The Daily Mail SAYS:
we cannot suppose the De LONE let
ter genuine; but If 1t Is then all the
tat would be in the fire. Things have
reached pass where little is wanted
to cause an explosion. Even the re-
call of Senor De LONE would not sat
isfy or pacify the insulted jingoes."
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-The publi-
cation today of what purported to be
an autograph letter written by Senior
Dupuy de LONE, the Spanish minister,
to his friend Senior Canalejas. CRITICS.
dom. caused sensation in official
Washington circles and soon will be
followed by Minister De Lome's de-
parture from the United States
AT the outset there was disposi-
ton to question the authenticity of the
letter, but as bit by bit circumstan-
tial evidence accumulated until it was
finally announced officially that the
minister declined to deny the author
snip of the letter all doubt was dis
slpated and the only question that re-
NAMED was as to the line of action to
be pursued by our government toward
the offending minister
Senior De LONE received a number OF
callers during the day, and, to those
sustaining close relation to him, he
did not question the authenticity of the
published letter, making it clear that
he would scorn the subterfuge of q de-
NAL for purposes Of expediency.
The only question raised was as to
the accuracy of the translation for the
published translations gave a severity
TO some or the expressions on the pres
ldent which were regarded as designed
TO magnify the actual statements.
The writing of this letter is unques-
tlonably an offense against the ameni-
Ties OF diplomatic relations and such
offenses almost invariably have 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 the
state department. officials began an
effort to settle its authenticity. and
when 1T had learned all that could be
developed on this point, and had been
told that the minister himself refused
TO deny writing 1t, the consideration Of
the next step began.
Assistant Sacratary Do1y a., 49,.
sultation with the president on the
subject at least four times during the
ofhcfal day and then spent much time
IN arranging his message to United
States Minister Woodford, at Madrid.
The official statement OF the sending
OF this message was accompanied by
declination to indicate it's contents
at this time. the department merely
giving to the press the following state
ment:
Does Not Deny.
Minister de LONE, does not deny writing
the letter. This department has communi.
Gated with Gen. Woodford on the subject
Until that communication reaches the Span
ism government 1t would be improper to in
any manner state the contents of the mes
sage to Gen. WoodforG.
While the department refused to add
anything to this meager statement. it
can be said without question that Mr..
Woodford was directed to Law the
facts developed before the Spanish
government, 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 pron-
erly.
This amounts to an invitation to re-
call the minister. presuming that he
himself has not already taken steps to
vacate his position.
No doubt is entertained of a ready
compliance, but, In case there should
be undue delay in the matter, the
state department would feel called
upon to move directly in the matter
and give the minister his passports,
as was done when Sir Julian Paunce-
fote'S predecessor wrote the celebrated
Murchison letter.
Inasmuch as the line Of action in
that case may form the basis for ac-
ton in this, always presuming that
the Spanish minister does not himself
cut the knot and relieve the govern
ment from the necessity of performing
q disagreeable duty, 1t may be stated
that with Lord Sackville the depart
ment of state itself initiated the ac-
ton.
Letter Stolen.
The circumstances under which a.
letter of this character could escape
from the privacy of the two persons
between whom it passed excite much
comment. The general belief is that
it was never delivered to Senior Canal
ejas, but was stolen while en- route
Canalejas was in Washington some
months ago and then went to Cuba for
the purpose Of observing the condition
Of affairs there.
AS the letter bears no date the time
that it was forwarded can only be
fixed by the contents. That it was af-
ter the presidents message is evident
a mention of the approaching autono-
nous cabinet establishes that it was
before the Inauguration of the cabinet
Jan. !.
This places the letter, according to
the prevailing impression, as having
been written about the middle of De-
cember At that time Senior Canal
eias is understood to have been at
Havana prosecuting his mission
The handling of the mail is done by
the Spanish authorities, so that In his
case 1t is believed the loss of q letter
of this character could occur only in
one or two ways, either through the
treachery Of an official at the postal
service or by being taken after it had
reached the hotel where Senor Canal
ejas was stopping.
At the Spanish legation every ave-
nue. Of inquiry as to the letter Is clos
ed. The minister positively declines to
be seen concerning the subject He
will neither affirm nor deny the aecu-
racy of the letter as a whole or in
part. Neither has he given any state
ment denying or affirming the letter.
and it can be stated that published de-