The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-02-13
De Lone Resigned Night Before His
Letter Was Published.
COUNCIL AT THE PALACE
NsS Aiais,sf to Washington 10 Be Named
Spanish rrsss AGAINST De Lose
Ceusurs Him Bitterly.

New York. Feb. p.-Premier sagasta
made the following statement regarding
the De LONE Incident to a Madrid CORES
pondent OF the World last night:
I'VE we're profoundly surprised when
the first intlmation OF the occurrence
came by the first telegram from Senior
Dupuy De LONE. saying that he had
heen advised that the American newspa-
pers were about 10 publish a letter he
had written to Senior canalejas. which
contained strong criticisms on President
Mckinley. He added that this might
make his remaining In Washington un-
desirable. Therefore he placed mis- resIg-
nation at the disposal OF the govern
ment. As we were at a loss to under
stand the matter. instructed the min
ister OF foreign affairs to telegraph again
directing Senor DE LONE 70 inform US Of
the contents OF the letter senor De
LONE replied that he did not recollect
them.
''De LONE resigned the night before the
I letter was published. Meanwhile the
text OF the letter was published In New
I York Then senor De LONE cabled, re-
newing his request that his resignation
be accepted soon. as his position was Inn
/ possible. He desired to leave America
because Assistant Secretary OF State Day
had called upon him to ask II he was
the author OF the letter. which he adj
mitted.
$50 we went into council at the palace.
having decided to tell the queen that
Seenor De Lome's resignation was nee
essary. In another council. held imme-
dIateIy afterwards. we took all the steps
required to place the legation in The
hands OF the able first secretary. who Is
thoroughly acquainted with all the pend
ing commercial and political questions
that will not suffer delay until successor
I TO Senor De LONE reaches Washington
I The cabinet discussed many available
candidates. coming TO the conclusion to
! let the minister OF foreign affairs select
/ u man from the diplomats who know the
English language. have served In the
United States. and are competent to con-
( duct the coming negotiations.
Il firmly believe that the incident. al
/ though not pleasant for US, will not alter
/ our present highly satisfactory and
friendly relations with the American gov
ernment What confirms my belief Is
that General woodford in his interview
with Senor Gullon declared himself sat
sfed with the position Of the Spanish
government in this AFFAIR before he pre-
sented his note on the subject.
when we first heard OF the De LONE
letter we sent for Senior Canalejas. who
assured us that he never received the
letter and that II must have been stolen
at Havana. Senior Canalejas seemed as
! tonished that Senor De LONE should have
written him so, as he had only made his
acquaintance through a letter OF intro
duction from Colonial Secretary Moret,
when he went to Washington. and had
noticed that SenOr De LONE always
! spoke to him in the highest terms OF
President Mckinley. His dispatches con-
tributed to the excellent opinion this gov
ernment had formed OF President Nc
Kinley's disposition and his ability TO as
sist us in keeping up the friendly rela-
| tions, of which we firmly trust the crown
ing act will be ere long treaty of COM
merce between the United States, Cuba
and Spain"
Some of the Madrid newspaper organs
of General Weyler and Romero Robledo
show a disposition to take up the cud-
gels for De LONE. although the majority
Of the press, notably the liberal organs.
including even the Imparcial and the
Heraldo, censure him bitterly for hav-
ing played into the hands OF the adver-
saries of Spain in Cuba and the United
States