The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-26
sIGsnEE CHALLENGED TO a DUEL.
IL He Declines Gen. Lee Is Named by
One of Bernabe's suit.

One of Bernabe's suit.
Washington. April 25.-Lieut Ramon de
Carran2a Of the Spanish royal navy, un-
ill recently naval attache of the Spanish
legation at Washington. has challenged
Gen, Fitzhugh Lee and Capt. Sigsbee OF
the Maino to fight duels.
The challenges were issued on the night
that the Spanish minister withdrew from
Washington.
Lieut. de Carranza had determined upon
this course of action Immediately after
Gen. Lee and Capt sigsbee stated before
congressional committees that in their be-
lief Spanish naval officers We're responsible
for the blowing up of the Maine.
He made known his purpose to Minister
Polo, who peremptorily forebade him from
Issuing the challenge while he was a mem
Der of the legation stan.
Lieut.. de Carranza persisted that his OFF,
cial position i'm no way restricted his
rights as a gentleman to call another
gentleman to account.
1t was finally arranged that the issu-
ance OF the challenges should await the
termination of diplomatic relations be-
tween Hpaln anu tue Ouileu otdNtSf NueIt-
upon Lieut.. de Carranza would be absolv-
ed from any restraint as an official under
Minister Polo.
In the meantime Lieut. de Carranza con-
suited his close personal friend, Capt. de
la Casa of the Spanish army, late military
attache here and the details OF the chal-
lenge were arranged. Only Minister Polo,
Capt. de la Casa and one other person
We're aware of what was done, the strict
est secrecy being enjolned on all parties
according TO the ethics of duelling, which
give to the party challenged the privilege
of making public the facts In the transact
tion. This secrecy is now broken, how
ever, by the rumors current, and the facts
of the challenge are made public.
Lieut.. de Carranza's first challege was
sent TO Gen. Lee, and 1t is rather more
lengthy than the one sent to Capt Sgsbee
IL Is most deferential, even courtly, In
tone. according TO the tenets OF dueling,
but aside from the challenge proper, it
contains an intentional insult to Gen. Lee
with a view to provoking him to accept
ance. The letter states that Gen. Lee la
his testimony before a congressional COM
mittee stated that IN his judgment Span
ish officials exploded the mine which blew
up the Maine. This Lieut. de Carranza
asserts In his challenge. is a direct reflec
lfpn upon tic HOlioi VI titt hfaNbt oih1ti =
who had charge of the defenses of Ia
vana.
"Any man who makes such a charge on
belief, and not on proof" the challenge
proceeds. is himself capable OF commit
ting the crime
Lieut. de Carranza refers to reports that
Gen. Lee will return to Cuba as o major
general, and asks that before he goes he
will give the lieutenant the privilege of
fighting him.
The challenge closes as follows:
For eight days shall await your an
swer at the Spanish consulate at To
ronto."
The challenge to Gen. Lee was mailed at
$50 p. m. on the goth inst, as the Spanish
minister and party were about 70 take the
train. IL was directed 10 the state de-
partment, as Gen. Lee had been assigned
a room at the department. ii happened,
however. that he had gone to Richmond,
SO that IL is not known or not whether he
received the letter the following morning.
Lieut. de Carranza felt satisfied that Gen.
Lee would accept the challenge and that
a meeting would occur probably on Cana
dian soil.
The challenge to Capt sigsbee Is sub
stanually the same as that to Gen. Lee,
but is slightly briefer. The challenge
was sent IN care of the navy department.
Capt Sigsbee had previously left for
Philadelphia to take command OF the aux
Hilary cruiser st. Paul, 50 that the letter
may not have reached him.
Since the challenges have been sent no
word has reached here as TO the purpose
of Gen. Lee and Capt. Sigsbee. The dis
patch from Toronto indicates that no ac-
ceptance or declarations have reached
there.
Philadelphia, April 2.-capt. sIgsbee,
when seen tonight in reference to the
challenge said to have been sent him by
Lieut.. Carranza, said he had no definite
Information concerning 1t. He said: II
do not believe any such challenge has
been issued. have not received It at any
rate, and think ] would have heard of It
if 1t had been sent to me in Washington"
"In case you do receive It, what action
will you take?'' he was asked.
ut Is too absurd to believe, and / can't
say what would do. II Is false to say
that ! testified 10 the Senate committee
that Spanish officials connived to blow
up the Maine. What ! said was that the
Maine was blown ~ by an exterior force
and / would have been O. fool not TO say
so.
II met Lieut.. Carranza at Key West and
saw something Of him. He appeared to
be a very courteous gentleman and our
relations were always pleasant. This Is
the first time 1 have heard that he took
exceptions to my testimony before the
Senate committee, and ! still think there
is some mistake; that he has not issued
the challenge. can't say what disposal
shall make OF the challenge II IL comes" {"
sCHLEY's TWO CRUISERS.