The Anaconda standard., 1898-02-11


Spanish cabinet held to-day under the
presidency of the queen regent, the
minister Of foreign affairs read a dis
patch from Senior Dupuy de LONE say
ing that the published letter to Canal
ejas was written by him and rendering
his resignation. The cabinet decided to
accept his resignation, and he was so
notified. The legation is to be intrusted
to the first secretary.
Washington, Feb. 10.-In view of the
news from Madrid of the acceptance of
the resignation of the Spanish minister,
it may be stated that our government
is not disposed to split hairs about the
offending minister's method of retire
ment. In other words, it is not con-
cerned as TO whether he resigns or is
recalled, so long as he leaves the capital.
1t is true that the exact language of the
message sent by the state department
to Mr.. Woodford indicated the presi-
dents desire that the minister be re-
called, but the language was used as
the most proper on such an occasion,
and must not be taken to mean that the
president is disposed to go further than
is necessary in the pursuit of Mr.. De
LONE. no longer an official of the
Washington, but simply Spanish cit
zen lingering at the capital only long
enough to pack up and remove his ef-
fects.
The Madrid cable to the associated
press was communicated to the Spanish
minister and was his first knowledge
that action had been taken by the cabi-
net and queen. The official notification
n n
Up to the close of Office hours the
state department had not heard from
Mr.. Woodford. 1t was said. however.
there was no disposition to question the
correctness of the report of the Spanish
cabinets action upon the Spanish
minister's resignation, and the opinion
is entertained that the matter is now
practically settled. 1t is believed that
when Mr.. Woodford is heard from it
will be in the shape of a message say
ing that the Spanish government ex-
presses regret al the incident: that the
resignation of Mr.. Dupuy de LONE
makes it unnecessary to go further in
the direction of the request of the pres
ident for his recall and announces that
the first secretary of the legation will
conduct its business in Washington
until another minister is named.
Under the peculiar circumstances eX-
listing, the ceremony attending the de-
parture of the Spanish minister is at
tended with much doubt. 1t is usual
when foreign representative leaves
the country for him to be received in
formal audience at the white house,
when an exchange of well wishes takes
place between him and the president. 1t
is hardly expected that this formality
will be observed in the present case
owing to the personal aspects of the
incident.
Ii is said at the state department that
there is no time limit in which Dupuy de
LONE must leave Washington, and being
now only a private Spanish citizen, he
may take a reasonable time to arrange
his affairs here without calling for criti-
eisni
The De LONE letter has already at
tracted the attention of foreign diplo-
matists and appears to be regarded by
them as an important factor in the gen.
eral Cuban question No incident in re-
cent days has caused such a sensation in
the rank of the diplomatic corps. There
is universal regret among the ambassa-
dors and ministers who have been
brought into close relations with Senor
de LONE.
Senior de Lone is acting on the pre-
sumption that his services are closed
and is preparing his household for de-
parture. No time has been fixed for
his leaving. For the present he con-
tinues to exercise his functions as min
secretary, Senior Pablo Solero, will be
charge daffaires ad interim.
While the foregoing gives the action
taken by the Spanish authorities, the
results may be considerably affected
by the steps taken by the state depart
ment. The department is acting with
out reference to the minister's resigna-
ton. 1t shaped it's action after receiv
ing the original letter written by De
LONE to Canalejas The original let
ter came into the possession of the
department yesterday and was carried
by Judge Day to the minister's resi-
dence The meeting could not have
been other than painful. There was
no denial on the part of the minister.
When Judge Day learned direct from
the minister that the letter was genu-
Inc, the cablegram to Minister Wood
ford was sent. The instructions will
go before the Madrid authorities along
fnic