The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-02

Our minister meanwhile. hearing the
news by cable. sent his secretary 20 ask
I for his transports on his way 90 the
palace the secretary met a messenger
from the Cortes bearing the transports.
! The Spanish government would not give
/ our minister the satisfaction of asking
for his transports. but sent them 10 him
which was equivalent TO a kick out OF
the country.
Now with flags flying and a diplomatic
J smile upon his pleasant face, our min
lister returns TO live i'm Madrid as though
| nothing had happened.
The etiquette of returning minister
Is quite amusing on his arrival al
Madrid De is Immediately driven TO the
American legation. which has been pre-
viousy secured for him. The United
States does not have a special home for
its minister 10 Spain and DE has 90 get
one for himself This is done. however.
by secretary who sails 10 Spain ON
steamer preceding tine one which carries
the minister ana vino hires a house, fur
nlshes il, secures horses and stables and
everything for the comfort of our min
tier and his family lie also lays in
small Spanish wardrobe FOR his chief ana
the new minister finds himself in pos
session OF au AlpLou-o cloak, a. Spanish
hat Madrid umbrella and such other
small articles as are different in spain.
lie also finds his cellars stocked with
Wine and his larders lIll.
Ia the servants quarters there are
many persons gathered together, and the
minister and his wife have only 10 ring
The front door bell % bee greeted as mas
ter and mistress anc take possession.
The returning minister recognizes no
one, he goes as a stranger and all his
acquaintance must bee made over again.
As soon as he arrives. his secretary calls
upon one Of the secretaries of the royal
household and announces that the Unit
ed States has sent O. minister who vii.
be pleased 10 pay his respects at court.
A day is appointed on which the min
lister Is 20 be presented II 81 an informal
presentation and a this time the queen
regent ana the little king shake hands
with him and tell him how very pleased
they are TO meet him.
When Minister WO0dford calls upon
the queen regent the moment will be an
interesting one. VIII be recall the pretty
words which he spoke TO her before the
war and which caused him 10 be crlti-
cized here? VIII she remind him that he
predicted victory for the Spanish and
downfall for the United States? VIII he
felicitate her as Of old on her appear
ance and will be compliment her ia his
sly. nodding way Oh her taste I'm dress?
Ii would really be interesting TO De d
mouse and be present AZ the coming in
tervieW.
When recently asked why IN made so
many queer remarks before his coming
10 this country Minister WOOdford re-
piled with a wink, or what seemed sus-
piciously Ike q wink, well. a dplo-
mat Is diplomat and one must do many
things when he is q diplomat The
United States navy was not quite ready
for war and l received instructions from
my government that It would not be
ready until April Is, and that I must
string out matters as long as possible.
l managed 10 string them out until April
q, which was six days after the allotted
time or until the American fleet was
ready"
and does that exnlain why YOU were