The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-01
Ar Amn-inr Consul.


So far as the information goes Consul
Pedro Soils. who represents Spain at
Tampa, has not yet set the bay on fire.
and there IS no report of the ordering Of
Spanish feet to lay Tampa under siege
for the purpose of saving the consuls
wounded Spanish pride. 1t is not even on
record that the stale department at WASH
ington has begged the pardon Of Senior
Soils for what he seems to regard as a
serious affront to the crown OF Spain
through his exalted self. THE report is that
Consul Soils feels wofully' and wonderful
" aggricved. and threatens all sorts Of
dire consequences upon the heads Of the
Tampa people, as well as upon the county
of Hillsborough and the state of Florida.
Probably it would be well 20 recount the
story of the grievance of the gentleman
from Spain, for the benefit of those who
may have forgotten all about il as soon as
they had read of it IN tne newspapers.
Some days ago a man named Jose Fernan-
dez, claiming Spanish citizenship, was
locked up in the Hlllsborough county jail
on a charge of felony. Fernandez desired
to communicate with the representative
Of his country, and sent for Consul Soils.
The consul went to the jail, and demanded
admission. you will have 10 get a per
nit from the sheriff. sir" said the jailer,
you cannot visit the prisoner without the
authority of the sheriff AT this says
the dispatch reporting the affair, Consul
Soils grew very indignant and sent an
| official protest to Washington. Later he
went to see the sheriff, and hot words en-
sued The consul claims that the Span
ish flag has been nsulted and threatens
/ that international complications will re-
suit"
1t was preposterous, according to the
consul's view of his own importance, that
he should have been denied the privileges
of the jail. 1t was an outrage that he
should have been required to ask the au-
thorty of ar American official that, he, a
! Castilian, representative of his sacred
majesty AIphonso, should be expected to
comply with the rules and regulations
made for the government of a yankee"
prison. Had he not behind his back the
great government of Spain? he probably
asked himself; he would teach the imper-
tinent Americans a lesson; he would make
an International affair. and probably a
cause Of war, out of the incident
Tampa, and Hnlsborough county, mean
time, care not three raps for the consuls
wrath He may swear and threaten, and
complain to Washington, and TO Madrid
as much as he pleases. He will only make
himself more ridiculous.
1t is extremely seldom that person is
incarcerated "incommunicado' in an
American prison, as is often done in Con-
SUI Soils country. Prisoners in American
jails may have their friends visit them al
almost any time, but those friends must
comply with reasonable rules. They must
have permission from some person in au-
thority. The MULE is a good and a neces-
sary one, and il applies to everybody. Had
the Spanish consul at Tampa complied
with it. he would have had no difficulty
So long as he neglects or refuses to com
ply with the rules, he will not be per.
mitted to visit the prisons. And that is
about all there is of The matter.