The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26
A Hot-Headed Spanish Lieutenant Wants a
 Duel.
Sends to Captain Sigsbee Also an Invitation to Fight
 Him.
Resents the Accusation That His Countrynen Blew Up the
 Maine.
Special Dispatch to The Call.
Call Office, Riggs House,

OAAANNJ
 Washington, April 25.
 Lieutenant Ramon de CarranZa of the Spanish royal navy, until recently naval attache of the Spanish legation at Washington, has challenged General Fitzhugh Lee and Captain Sigsbee of the Maine to fight duels. The chal- lenges were issued on the night that the Spanish Minister withdrew from Washington. Lieutenant de Carranza had determined upon this course of ac- tion immediately after General Lee and Captain Sigsbee stated before the Con- gressional committees that, in their be- lief, Spanish naval officers were respon- sible for the blowing up of the Maine. He made known his purpose to Min ister Polo, who peremptorily forbade him issuing the challenge while he was member of the legation staff. Lieu tenant de Carranza persisted that his official position in no way restricted his rights as a gentleman to call another gentleman to account.
 It was finally arranged that the is suance of the challenges should await the termination of diplomatic relations between Spain and the United States, whereupon Lieutenant de Carranza would be absolved from any restraint as an official under Minister Polo.
 Lieutenant de Carranza's first chaI- lenge was sent to General Lee, and 1t is rather more lengthy than the one to Captain Sigsbee. It is more deferen- tial, even courtly in tone, according to the tenets of dueling, but aside from the challenge proper, it contains an in- tentional insult to General Lee with a view to provoking him to an accept ance.
 The letter states that General Lee, in his testimony before Congressional committee, stated that in his judgment Spanish officials exploded the mine which blew up the Maine. This, Lieu tenant de Carranza asserts in his challenge, is a direct reflection upon the honor of the naval officers who had charge of the defenses of Havana
 Any man who makes such a charge on belief, and not on proof the chal- lenge proceeds, lis himself capable of committing the crime.'
 He refers to reports that General Lee will return to Cuba as a major general, and asks that, before he goes, he will eive the lieutenant the privi- lege of fighting him. The challenge closes as follows:
 For eight days I shall await your
 
 Toronto"
 The challenge to General Lee was mailed at 6:30 D. m. on the 20th inst. as the Spanish Minister and his party were about to take the train, the State Department having furnished him his passports that afternoon. It was directed to the State Depart ment, as General Lee had been as- signed from that department. It hap pened, however that he had gone to Richmond, so that it is not known whether he received the letter the fol- lowing morning. Lieut.. de Carranza felt satisfied that General Lee would accept the challenge and that a eet- ing would occur, probably on Can adian soil.
 The challenge to Captain Sigsbee is substantially the same as that of Gen. eral Lee, but is slightly briefer, owing to the omission of the phrase relating to General Lees return to Cuba as a major general. In this challenge, also, eight days are given during which a reply may be sent to the Spanish con- sulate at Toronto The challenge was sent to the Navy Department. Cap tain Sigsbee had previously left for Philadelphia to take command of the auxiliary cruiser St. Paul, so that the letter may not have reached him.
 Lieutenant de CarranZa made known his purpose of leaving after waiting eight days, when, if answers had not been received, he would publish the challenges sent to General Lee and Captain Sigsbee.