The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-26
Officer Attached to Pol0'S Suite
Threw Down the Gauntlet.
LEE in LIKE MANNER
INCURRED THE SPANISH FOOLS
DISPLEASURE.
Forbidden to Issue the Challenge By
Senior Polo Until the Night the
Legation Left Washington-Sigs-
bees and Lees Testimony the
Foundation Of the Spaniard's Ire.

Washington, April 25.-Lieutenant Ra-
mon de Carranza of the Spanish royal
navy, until recently naval attache of the
Spanish legation at Washington has
challenged General Fftzhugh Lee and
Captain Sissbee of the Maine to fight
duels. The challenges were issued on the
night that the Spanish minister with
drew from Washington.
Lieutenant de Carranza had determined
upon this course of action Immediately
after General Lee and Captain Sigsbee
stated before congressional committees
that, in their belief. Spanish naval officers
We're responsible for the blowing up of
the Maine. He made known his purpose
to Minister Polo, who peremptorily FOR
babe him from issuing the challenge While
he was member OF the legation STAN
Lieutenant de CarranZa persisted that
his official position in no way restricted
his rights 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 diplo-
matte relations between Spain and the
United States, whereupon Lieutenant de
CarranZa would be absolved from any re-
straint as an official under Minister Polo
DETAILS ARRANGED.
In the meantime Lieutenant de Car
rama consulted his close personal friend,
Captain de Ia Casa of the Spanish army.
late military attache here, and the details
of the challenges were arranged. Only
Minister Polo, Captain de la Casa and
one other person were aware Of what was
DONE the strictest secrecy being enjoined
on all parties, according to the ethics OF
duelinG. which give to the party chal-
lenged the privilege OF making public the
facts in the transaction. This secrecy is
now broken. however, by the rumors cur
rent and the facts of tke challenges are
made public.
CHALLENGE TO LEE.
Lieutenant de Carranzas first challenge
was sent to General Lee, and ii is rather
more lengthy. than the. one to Captain
courtly in tone, according TO the tenets
of duelling. but aside from the challenge
proper, ii contains an intentional insult
to General Lee, with view t. proVok-
ing him 10 an acceptance. The letter
states that General Lee, in his testimony
before congressional committee, stated
that in his judgment Spanish officials eN-
ploded the mine which blew up the Maine.
This. Lieutenant de CarranZa asserts in
his challenge. is a direct reelection 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 challenge
proceeds, lis himself capable of commit
ting the crime.
will return to Cuba as a major general,
and asks that before he goes, he will
give the lieutenant the privilege of fight
ing him. The challenge closes as fol-
For eight days I shall await your an
swer at the Spanish consulate in To-
rontO.
THINKS LEE WILL ACCEPT.
The challenge to General Lee was
mailed ar $50 pm. on the 10th inst, as
the Spanish minister and his party were
about to take the train, the state DEPART
ment having furnished him his pass
ports that afternoon. 1t was directed to
the state department. as General Lee had
been assigned from that department. 1t
happened. however, that he had gone to
Richmond, so that it is not known wheth-
er he received the letter the following
Lieutenant de Carranza felt
that General Lee would accept
the challenge and that a meeting would
occur. probably on Canadian soil.
EIGHT DAYS GIVEN.
The challenge to Captain sigsbee is
substantially The same az that TO GeneraI
Lee. but is slightly briefer, owing to the
omission of the phrase relating to Cen
eral 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 consulate at To-
navy department. Captain Sigsbee had
previously left for Philadelphia to take /
command of the auxiliary cruiser St. !
Paul, so that the letter may not have /
reached him.
Since the challenges were sent, no word |
has reached here as to the responses of !
General Lee or Captain Sigsbee. The dis ]
patch from Toronto indicates that no ac-
ceDtances or destinations have been re- /
celveG.
Lieutenant de Carranza made known /
lis purpose on leaving here of waiting
sight days. when. If answers had not been
'eceived, he would publish the challenges
sent to General Lee and Captain Sigsbee.