Arizona republican., 1898-02-10
Minister DeLOnle Takes to Writ
 ing for the Press
TWO NATI0RS STIRRED UP
An Undenied Criticism Of
 President Mckinley
The State Department Has Already Taken Steps Which Must Certain Iy Lead to the Recall Of tho Spanish Minister.

Washington, Feb. 9-A publication in the morning newspapers of what is supposed to be an autograph letter written by Senor de Lone, Spanish minister, to his friend, Canalejas, cfit- icising the president with the utmost freedom, caused sensation in official circles in Washington, and soon will be followed by Minister de Lome's de- parture from the United States. At the outset there was a disposition to question the authenticity of the letter, but as bit by bit circumstantial evil dence accumulated until it was finally announced officially that the minister declined to deny the authenticity of the letter, all doubt was dissipated and the only question that remained was as to the line Of action to be pursued by our government toward the offend ing minister.
 The writing of the letter is un- questionably an offense against the amenities of diplomatic relations, and such offenses have almost invariably been regarded by the United States, as in other capitals, as sufficient grounds for the termination of the official status. As to the letter writer,
 as soon as the letter appeared in the press the state department officials began an effort to settle it's authen- ticity, and when they had learned all that could be developed on this point and had been told that the minister the only consideration of the next step began. Assistant Secretary Day was in consultation with the president on the subject at least four times dur ing the official day, and then spent much time in framing his message to Madrid.
 The official statement of the sending of this message was accompanied by a declination to indicate it's contents at this time. It can be stated without question that MT. Woodford was di
 rected to lay the facts developed be fore the Spanish government, together with the statement that in view of
 the minister's refusal to deny the au- thorizing of the letter, the Spanish government is looked to with conf
 dence to deal with the case properly. 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 compli- ance with this implied suggestion, but in case there should be undue delay
 in acting, the state department would feel called upon to move directly in the matter and give the minister his
 passport, as was done with Sir Julian
 Pauncefote's predecessor, who wrote the celebrated Murchison letter.
 In this letter the Spanish minister refers to President Mckinley as weak
 and catering to the rabble," and as a
 How politician who desires to stand
 well with the jingoes of his party" | The incident was almost the sole | topic of conversation among the mem | bers of the house. Its contents were
 considered such manifest breach of 1 diplomacy that many refused to credit it. Chairman Hit of the foreign af- | fairs committee, Chairman Dingley of
 the ways and means committee, and other leading republicans declined to
 express any opinion at this time. On the assumption that the letter was authentic, however, the opinion was almost unanimous that no self
 respecting government could tolerate 1 such q criticism of it's chief executive,
 ana tLat Minister de Lome's words had | put an end to his usefulness at this i capital. Some fear was expressed that
 the recall of Minister de Lome while ] affairs were in the present delicate
 condition might precipitate a crisis.
 DE LONE STANDS PAT.
 Washington, Feb: Slate this af- ternooD the following statement as to
 it's action in the case of Senor de Lone,
 who wrote the letter to Senor Can
 alejasa sharply criticising President | Mckinley, was made public by the state department: Minister de Lone | does not deny writing the letter.
 This department has communicated
 with General Woodford on the sub ject. Until that communication
 reaches the Spanish government 1t
 would be improper in any manner to
 state the contents of the message to
 General Woodford.'
 II NEW YORK TRIES TO GET IN.
 Albany, N. Y, Feb. 9.-Assembly-