The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-02-18
THE De LONE INCIDENT
Many Similar Cases In Our
History.
DIPLOMATS DISMISSED.


| Apologize For De Lome's Insult--A d.
pIomatist Cites = Hypothetical Cass-Ths
Spanish Minister'S Blunder Inexcusable.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1s.-[Special. Tho
United States government has In Its short
| life found it necessary to send home quite
| a number of foreign ministers whose con-
duct here was not satisfactory. Diplomats
| tell me that the United States has had
| greater number of such cases than any 9TH
err government, but they do not mean by
this that the Americans are at fault. One
source of trouble appears to have been that
the nations of Europe for a long time had
fashion of sending to the United States
their poorest diplomatic material. Another
explanation is to DO found in the fact that
a good many of the diplomats who have
been sent over here appear to have come
with an idea that this was free and easy
and not overscrupulous country, in which
almost any sort of conduct would pass
muster. Neither of these assumptions
holds good at the present time. The aver
age ability and character of the diplomats
stationed here compare favorably with
those of any other capital of the world,
and surely there Is no longer reason to
doubt our punctiliousness and ability to
take care of ourselves in a diplomatic way.
Just as every nation is the judge Of its
own honor, SO is every government entitled
to determine whether or not the minister
accredited to it by foreign power is sat-
isfactory. 1t Is literally true that IL an
ambassador or minister wears clothes
which the president or the secretary of
state does not like, or has an unpleasant
way Of talking, or is addicted to habits
which are distasteful, he may be sent
home. This may be done, too, without
giving any explanations. 1t is sufficient
to notify the foreign government that the
ambassador is persona non grata. But to
send a diplomat home without giving any
reason therefor Is an extreme use of power
and is not respectful to the government
which sent him. Therefore explanations
are nearly always given.
subordination Of the Individual.
The general policy of nations is to as
sumo that their diplomatic representatives
are mere individuals, of small Importance
compared with the preservation of amicable
relations between governments. If min
lister offend ever so slightly, let him go.
Another man will be sent to take his place,
and the nations continue their relations as
If nothing had happened. But an embas-
sador CT minister represents the nation
which accredits him. He may give offense
in the name of the nation or through him
his own nation may be aggrieved. An in
jury to diplomatic agent Is for this rea-
son holly resented. He is for that occasion
the nation itself. This shows why an Of
od hu Hinlnmofio
should be disavowed by his government,
just as an injury done to him must be
apologized for.
This was where the shoe pinched in tho
Dupuy De LONE case. President Mckinley
assumed from the outset, and rightly, that
Spain should disavow any sympathy with
the expressions contained in the famous
letter. If those were not the sentiments of
the Spanish people and the Spanish gov
eminent, it would be easy to say SO. That
would end the whole matter. 1t was the
long delay of Spain in expressing her re-
greet for the De LONE letter that irritated
officials of the administration here.
A Simple Case.
"This De LONE case is really very SIM
pie one, said one gentleman who Is versed
in diplomatic precedent. "Let us suppose
that you and have had some negotiations
about important matters, but our relations
are wholly friendly and both of us desire
to keep them so. One of my employees, a
clerk perhaps, is sent to your house on an
errand for me. While there he behaves
badly. He insults you shamefully. More
over, he informs you that in my dealings
with him l have not been sincere, have
not acted i'm good faith, have been trying
to hoodw ink and cheat you.
snow, you are gentleman and friend
" with me- You send word to me that
my man has acted badly and that you can
not do business with him any more. You
might have kicked him off your premises,
but as mark of consideration for me you
suggest that call him home. He is my
employee, not yours, and you think
should deal with him. Now, what Is my
duty? 1t is plain enough. / must call the
man home. If he has acted outrageousiy
to you, my friend and equal, ought not
accept his resignation. / should dismiss
and punish him. Nor Is that all. As
quickly as can i should go to your house
or send a note, apologizing for the con-
duct of my agent. Instead Of approving
his conduct, l severely condemn 1t, and
deeply and sincerely regret that you were
subjected to annoyance by my III manner
cd employee. And as for his representa-
tions that have not acted In good faith
with you, beg to assure you he Is falsify-
ing. wish you to trust me and to con-
tinue your friendly relations with mo and
promise you that the future will demon
strate my sincerity in all dealings with
you.
"There," concluded this diplomatist,
"you have an accurate paraphase OF the
De LONE incident. 1t was as much SPANS
duty to apologize for her minister's con-
duct as it was mine in the hypothetical
case which have cited. And just as /, as
a gentleman, ought not to wait for you to
suggest to me that you expect disavowal
from me, so Spain ought not to have acted
SO slowly as to make it necessary for the
United States to demand an apology"
A Common Offense.
It has been contended here that the Of
Tense committed by Dupuy De Lome was
Just such an offense as foreign ministers
are guilty of every week and that his crime
consisted of "being found out" But ex-
perienced diplomatists tell me this Is not
rxl< L. xrra 81 q a. ho nfv