The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-10
SERIOUS BREACH OF DIPLOMATIC ETIQUETTE
Spanish Minister Writes Letter Freelv
Criticizing President Mckinley.
WILL Wind UP HIS OFFICIAL CAREER IN THIS COUNTRY
Not Recalled by His Government He Will Be Dismissed
Precedent in the Case Of Lord SacEvilIe-
May Precphate Crisis

States. will not suffice. Lord Sackville
set up such an excuse, but President
Cleveland declared that it was INSULT
clent, ana the Minister was compelled
10 leave Washington. Inasmuch as; The
line of action in that case may form
the basis for action In this, always
presuminE that the Spanish Minister
does not himself cut the knot and re-
iieNe the Government from the neces-
sity of performing n dsagreeably duty,
II may be stated that with Lord Sack
VINE the Department of State itself
initiated the action.
Lord Sackvllle had written a letter
10 one Murcheson In Pomona Cal, In
september, 1883, in reply to his request
Tor guidance, as n naturalizcd Amcri-
can of British birth, in casting his vote
Ior PRESIDENT The reply was sent
from beverly, Mass, where the Minis
ter was stopping, and would not now,
nor probably at any time except in the
neat or one of the great four yearly
elections. be regarded as particularly
offensive. HIS Lordship simply said
mat any political party which openly
favored the mother country al thai
time would lose popularity. ana the
party then in power was well aware Of
this fact. He believed, however. that
President Cleveland would manifest n
spirit of conciliation in dealing with
the question involved in his message.
Upon seeing this letter printed Sec
retary Hayard sent for Lord Sackvlle
ana the latter frankly confessed the
authorship. Ihereupon Mr.. Rayard
cabled to Mr.. Phelps our Minister at
London, under date Of October 25th,
that Lord Sacl<ville had declared that
his reply to Murcheson had been strict
~ private and not intended for pub
llcat'on. Mr.. Bayard thereupon cy-
pressed his surprise ana amnZement
and condemnation of the Minister'S
act.
THE Government of the United
States" he said. could not be in
dif1erent to any Interference in the
domestic issues by foreign representa-
tiVes, and Mr.. Phelps was directed to
invite Lord Salisbury's attention to
the occurrence and express the conf
dent reliance OF this Government upon
the action Of Her Majcsty's Govern
ment in the premises.
hut Lord Salisbury did not take
kindly TO the suggestions. He replied
that he could not act until he had re-
ceiyed the Minister'S explanation. He
did not regard the letter alone as sun-
cient to warrant the Minister'S recall.
thus ending his diplomatic career,
which would not necessarily be the
case if he were dismissed by the Gov
ernment OF the United States, for
NiiiSii VI tOuISc, tncTp are DfeCeQentS.'
Mr.. Phelps having advised that the
intimation of Lord Salisbury be acted
upon, inasmuch as there was no pro-
liability Of his recalling the Minister
Immediately. Mr.. Bayard proceeded to
dismiss Lord Sackville in the follow
ing terms:
The President of the United States
mas instructed me to inform you that
for good and sufficient causes. which
known n yOIrSplf hnUo bnn,
duly brought to the knowledge of your
government, he has with great regret
become convinced that II would be in
compatible with the best interests and
detrimental to the good relations OF
both governments that you should any
longer hold your present official posi-
tion in the United States, and that ac-
| cordingly the government of Her Brit
| tanic Majesty will without delay be in
| formed of this determination in order
| that another channel may be found for
| the transmission of such commun!ca-
| tions as may be found desirable be-
| tween the two governments in the
| transaction of their business When
ever 1t Is Your pleasure to depart from
| the United States ! am instructed to
furnish you with the usual facilities,
and with that end in view beg To en-
| close passport in the customary
| FORM
Lord Sackvilc left Immediately, ana
from October 30, 1858. until late in the
spring of 1889, the British government
was represented here only by charge,
sign of the displeasurc with which il
viewed the trea ;mcnt of It's minister.
There were few Senator's who had not
! read the letter when the Senate met
to-day. but there were comparatively
few Of them willing to express an opin-
ion upon it.
1T is very scious matter" said SEN
ator Gray, of the Committee on Foreign
! Relations "too serious, indeed, to dis
cus9 carelessly."
| IF 1t Is true" said Senator Foraker.
| also member of the Foreign Relations
Committee. "Mr. de LONE ought to be
| given his passports"
Senator Spooner: "If true, it is a gross
attack, and most astounding"
Senator Stewart: THE sentiment ex
pressed is In 4 line with Spains policy
and disposition. We do everything to
concHiate the Spaniards; they recipro
cate by despising u.s."
| The letter was almost the sole tonic
| OF conversation among the members of
the House to-day. Its contents were
| considered such "a manifest breach of
| diplomacy that many refused to credit
1t. Chairman Hit, of the Foreign AZ
| 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 au-