Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-10
Significance of the De LONE Incident
Set Forth.
HOLLOWNESS OF her PROFESSIONS
Autonomy and Reciprocity Now
Shown to Be Tricks.
NEW LINES NECESSA

The consequence upon De LONE person.
ally has so absorbed attention that the
greater significance and Importance of the
letter which renders the Spanish minister
persona non grata, has, in a measure, been
overlooked. The mere recall of De LONE
on the grounds of his having made himself
offensive would not necessarily have any
effect upon the relations between the
United States and Spain.
The De Lone letter, however, is not only
offensive, therefore rendering his recall
necessary, but 1t also makes disclosures
which have an important bearing upon the
relations between the two countries. The
Spanish duplicity is laid bare. The pur-
pose to deceive the government of this
country by friendly overtures Is disclosed.
The hollow pretense of autonomy is made
clear.
The proposition TO negotiate 'reciproci-
ty treaty, with the United States to give
inns country advantage in Cuban trade Is
acknowledged to be merely a diplomatic
Trick, important to the advancement OF the
plans Of Spain to hoodwink our administra-
ton, and thing to be pressed, if only for
effect These disclosures will of necessity
make 1t impossible for Spain to proceed
along the same lines which have been SO
successful heretofore in dealing with the
United States.
Spain Embarrassed.
Neither autonomy" nor reciprocity
Will now serve to oil and smooth down the
ruhied feathers of the eagle. They have
served well for awhile, but are now rem
dered no longer available for the purpose
In the future Spain will be embarrassed in
dealing on the Cuban question with the
United States by the fact that her UNI
friendly attitude and purpose to deceive
will be fully understood even by the most
g ma he nIati ions Of
the two governments must change
Whether the disclosures will lead the Pres
1dent to change his policy and to turn di-
rectly to recognition of the belligerency
of the Cuban insurgents or Intervention to
put close to the war the near future will
probably disclose.
The belief is that Spain, having had the
cloak torn off and being fort ed to greater
frankness, may assume bravado and def
ance. 1t is on account of the probable eff
feet of the exposure of policy made in the
letter that the incident acquires gravity
far beyond the personal affront to the Pres
iGent and the recall of the minister. An
apology and the recall of De LONE would
officially cure the affront but the dis
closures remain to embarrass the relations
between the two countries A realization
or this Is likely to make Spain irritable.
Letter Read In Havana
There is reliable authority for the asser-
tion that the letter was read TO several
by Canalejas, and was at the time the sub
ject of private correspondence between one
or more persons in this country and their
friends in Cuba. This puts an end to all
irsfnuations that the letter was distracted
from the mails in this country.
A Graver Aspect.
The dispatch from Madrid announcing
the acceptance of De Loma's resignation
by the Spanish cabinet seems to put the
matter In graver aspect. Much depends
pom the terms employed by Spain in an
nouDcing to this country the acceptance
OF the resignation, but in general terms 1t
might be said that to permit De Lone to
resign, instead of recalling him, is to, in a
measure, condone his offense.
The action could be relieved of this inter-
pretatlon only by Spain employing such
terms in the acceptance of the resignation
as to convey censure. In the absence of
expression of censure, the acceptance of
De Lomes resignation would be regarded as
an ungraclouS manner of dealing with the
case. and would show a situation not I'M
likely to result ultimately in suspension of
all diplomatic relations The proper and
gracious thing for Spain to have done in
this emergency was to comply exactly with
the terms of the request made by this
country through Mr.. Woodford. Anything
short Of this cannot be regarded as gra-
ciOus.
What Senator Lindsay Says.
1.-THE real Importance of the De LONE let
ter is lost sight of in the personal portion
OF the epistle, said Senator Lindsay this
morning.
1.-The letter reveals the true situation.
Officially the Spanish have claimed to be
victorious in nearly every battle. Now here
comes De LONE. the best posted man on the
Spanish side, and confesses, to all intents
and purposes, that the gigs up If Spain
does not meet with political and military
success. BY political success he means of
course, the autonomy plan, which, l think
all acknowledge is a complete failure. The
letter shows the utter helplessness and
hopelessness of Spain"