The herald., 1898-04-26
Two CHALLENGES SENT
ONE TO SIGSBEE AND ONE TO
TITzHUaH LEE
Little Lieutenant Carranza Thinks the
Honor Of Spanish Naval Officials
Needs Some Support

WASHINGTON, April 25.-Lieut. Ra-
mon de Carranza of the Spanish royal
navy, until recently naval attache of the
Spanish legation at Washington, has chal-
lenged Gen. Fitzhugh Lee and Capt. Sigs-
bee of the Maine to fight duels. The chal-
lenges were issued on the night that the
Spanish minister withdrew from Wash
ington. Lieut. de Carranza had deter
mined upon this course of action immedi-
ately after Gen. Lee and Capt Sigsbee
stated before the congressional commit
tees that, in their belief, Spanish naval
officers were responsible for the blowing
up of the Maine He made known his pur-
pose to Minister Polo, who peremptorily
forbade him from issuing the challenges
while he was a member of the legation
staff. Lieut. de Carranza persisted that
his official position in no way restricted
his right as a gentleman to call another
gentleman to account. 1t was finally ar
ranged that the issuance of the challenges
should await the termination of diplomat
ic relations between Spain and the United
absolved from any restraint as an official
under Minister Polo. In the meantime
Lieut.. de Carranza consulted his close per-
ish army, late military attache here, and
the details of the challenges were ar
ranged Only Minister Polo, Capt. de la
Casa and one other person were aware of
what was done, the strictest secrecy be-
ing enjoined on all parties, according to
the ethics of duelling, which give to the
party challenged the privilege of making
public the facts in the transaction. This
&c. hrnly 1,1rf
rumors current and the facts of the chal-
lenges are made public.
Lieut.. de Carranza's first challenge was
sent to Gen. Lee, and it is rather more
lengthy than the one to Capt. Sigsbee. 1t
is most deferential, even courtly, in tone,
according to the tenets Of duelling but
aside from the challenge proper. it con-
tains an intentional insult to Gen. Lee,
with a view to provoking him to an ac-
ceptance. The letter states that Gen. Lee
in his testimony before congressional
committee stated that, in his Judgment
Spanish officials exploded the mine which
blew up the Maine. This, Lieut.. de Car
rama asserts in his challenge, is a direct
reflection upon the honor of the naval Off
GERS who had charge of the defenses Of
Havana.
Not Yet Received
PHILADELPHIA, April 25.-Capt. Sigs-
bee, when seen tonight in reference to the
challenge said to have been sent him by
Lieut.. de Carranza, said: II do not believe
any such challenge has been issued.
have not received it. at any rate. / can't
say what disposition I shall make of the
challenge if it comes.''
Sigsbee Challenged
TORONTO, Ont, April 25.-Lieutenant
Carranza of the suite of Polo Blanco,
was seen today relative to the report that
he had challenged Captain Sigsbee of the
Maine to fight a duel The lieutenant cor
roborated the story. He said that he had
sent his challenge, and that if he does not
receive an answer from Captain Sigsbee
by the 2Sth he will brand him as coward
Should Captain Sigsbee refuse, the lieu
tenant will then challenge Consul General
Lee.