Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-09

this country. Jackson. the British minis
ter, in 1910. was sent away; Poussin. the
French minister, in 1919: Catacazy. the
Russian. in 1871. and SackvilleWest, in
lSSS In the last instance the British min
lister was gwen his passports IL three days
on failing 10 make explanation of the
famous letter written by him. In 1S4S the
British minister at Madrid given his
passport in forty-eight hours by the Span
ish government.
1t is believed that all these cases were
discussed by the President today. What
else gone over by him and Judge Day
is not known. Rumors on the subject were
plentiful One was to the effect that the
original of the De LONE letter had been
sent here to the President and that it was
compared with the handwriting of De
LONE on file in the State Department.
The President read the newspaper ac-
counts of the letter this morning and is
posted on that part Of the matter.
What Judge Day Says.
I'm The absence of any official informa-
ton of the writing of such a letter, it
would be manifestly unfair to the Spanish
minister and unjust TO make any statement
at this time as to the intentions of the
State Department" said Assistant Secre-
tary Day, at the State department, this af
terDoon, in answer 10 a question as 20
what procedure will be followed in treat
ing the letter of Senior Dupuy de LONE TO
Senior Canalejas. published in another col
umn- II was said that the department was
al soluteiy ignorant. officially, that such
letter had been written. OF course the pub
hCations in the morning newspapers had
been seen, and they had created a sensa-
lion III official circles. The President him
self Was not long in ignorance of tine mat
ter, for Assistant Secretary Day called
upon him early in the day. and to the great
disappointment of the large number of
visitors who were patiently waiting in the
lobby 10 secure access to the President, the
word came that he could not be seen, ewing
TO his engrossnent with matters OF official
fNrr- IN. htg.tx
Spanish minister's letter. 1t after his
conference with the President that Assist
ant Secretary Day made his statement to
The Star reporter and a number of Other
newspaper men who We're in waiting for
him at his office in the State Department.
Secretary Shcrmnn's Position.
Secretary Sherman assumed a similar
position. though he let IL be understood
that the writing of such a letter as that
published would constitute a breach of
diplomatic etiquette of which our govern
ment must take notice.
As no denial OF the authenticity of the
publication has yet reached the State De
partment. it IL believed that, after Il rea-
sonaDle delay. the matter will be brought
to the attention of the Spanish govern
ment. through Minister Woodford presum-
ing that no action has been ttkea by the
Spanish minister himself before that time
and change in the representation of
Spain at Washington may be expected in
due order Presenting that the letter Is
genuine. there is no excuse that will be
acceptable by our government.
The SaekviiIe-We.t Incident
The rule as laid down In The Sackville-
West case is generally regarded as the
standard precedent sor our guidance In
such matters. though there are not lacking
ether precedents. To plead that the let
ter was purely personal that 1t was not
even addressed to official or to a citizen
Of the United States. will not suffice Lore
Sackviile set up such an excuse, but Presi-
dent Cleveland declared that Ii was INSULT
Gent and the minister was given his pass
ports.
Inasmuch as the line of action in that
case may form the basis for action in this
always presuming that the Spanish min
iSter does not himself cur the knot and
relieve this government from the necessity
Of performing disas-eeable duIy-it may
De stated that with Lord SackviIIe the
department of State Itself initiated the
Ectton- Lord Sackville had written \ let
Ter 10 one Nurchison, in Pomona Cal in
september. 1855, in reply 20 his request for
guidance, as natIraiized American of
British birth, In casting mis- vote for Presi-
gent The reply was sent from Beverly
Mass where the minister was stopping
ana would not now. probably at any
time except in the heat Of one of the prest
Iour-yearly elections. been regarded as par
tculariy offensive
His lordship simply said that any ooI,t-
Il al party which openly favored the mnthsr
country at that time would lose popular-
lily, and the party then in power vas well
aware OF that fact. He believed. however
that President Cleveland would manifest
spirit of conc iation in dealing with the
questions involved In mis- message
Upon seeing this letter printed Secretary
BAY ara sent for Lord Sackville and the
latter frankly confessed the authorship
Iiererron Mr.. Bayard cabled to Mr.
fhelps. our minister at London. under
date of October %, that Lord SackvilIe
mad declared that his reply to Murchison
had been strictly private and not intended
Tor publication. Mr.. Bayard thereupon ex-
pressed his surprise and amazement and
condemnation of the minister's act" saw
ing that the government of the United
States could not be Indifferent to any in
eign representatives.
Minister Phelps Instructions
Mr. Phelps was accordingly instructed to
invite Lord Salishurys attention TO the
occurrence and express the confident re-
nance or this government upon the action
OF her majesty's sSsernment In the prem
ises"
But Lord Salisbury did not take kindly
to the suggestion. He replied that he couId
not act until he hal received the minister's
precise language and had heard his ex-
plantation He dill not regard the letter
alone as sufficient 10 warrant the minis
ters recall ana thus ending his JipIo-
Ts.atic career. which would not necess lriIv
De the ease II he We're dismissed by the
government of the United States for
which. of course, there are precedents."
Mi Phelps having advised that the init
nation OF Lord Salisbury be acted IInnp in