The record-union., 1898-02-10
De LONE Will Probably Soon Have
to Depart From the Capital.
Practically Admits Writing the Attack on
President Mckinley.
IF Not Recalled by His Government
the State Department Will
Move Directly in the Matter
and Give Him His Passports
The Matter Causes a Sensation
in Washington Official Circles.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-The publ
cation of what is supposed to be an
autograph letter written by Senor DE
LONE the Spanish Minister, to his
friend Canalejas. criticising the Presi-
dent with the utmost freedom, caused
a sensation in official Washington, and
soon will be followed by Minister De
Lome's departure from the United
States.
At the outset there was a disposition
to question the authenticity of the let
ter, but as, bit by bit, the circumstan-
ial evidence accumulated, until it was
finally announced officially that the
Minister declined to deny the authentic
ity Of the letter, all doubt was dissi-
pated, and the only question that re-
manned was as to the line of action to
be pursued by our Government toward
the offending Minister.
The writing of this letter is unques-
tionably an offense against the ameni-
ties of diplomatic relations, and such
offenses have almost invariably been
regarded in the United States, as IN
other capitals, as sufficient ground for
the termination of the official status OF
the letter writer.
AS soon as the letter appeared IL
the press the State Department officials
began an effort to settle its authentic
ity, and when it had learned all that
could be developed on this point, and
had been told that the Minister him.
self refused to deny writing ii, the con-
sideration of the next step began. AS
sistant Secretary Day was in consulta-
ton with the President on the subject
at least four times during the Official
day, and then spent much time in fra1n-
ing his message to United States Min
lister Woodford at Madrid. The Off
cial statement of the sending of this
message was accompanied by declin-
alton 10 indicate its contents at this
time, the department merely giving 70
the press the following statement:
Minister De LONE does not deny
writing the letter. This department has
communicated with General Woodford
on the subject. Until that communi-
cation reaches the Spanish Government
it would be improper to in any manner
state the contents of the message to
General Woodford.
While the department refused to add
10 this meager announcement, it can be
stated without question that Mr.. Wood
ford was directed to lay the facts de-
veloped before the Spanish Government
together with the statement of the Min
listers refusal to deny the authorship
of the letter.
The Spanish Government is looked tC
with confidence to deal with the case
tion to recall the Minister. presuming
that he himself has not already taken
steps To vacate his position. No doubt
is entertained of a compliance with the
implied suggestion. but in case there
should be undue delay in acting. the
State Department would feel called
upon TO move directly in the matter and
give the Minister his passports. as was
done with Sir Julian Pauncefote :
predecessor. who wrote the celebrated
Murchison letter.
At the Spanish Legation every ave
nue. of inquiry as To the letter is closed
The Minister positively declines TO be
seen concerning the subject. He viii
neither affirm nor deny the accuracy
of the letter as a whole or in part
Neither has he given any statement de-
nying or affirming the letter, and it ear
be stated that published statements
purporeing to give denials are inaccu-
rate and unwarranted.
The information Of the State Depart
ment is necessarily limited ON a com
munieation of this character. as IL has
not passed through official channels II
is not a communication of the Spanish
Minister to his Government Being to
Senor Canalejas, who is not a member
OF the Spanish Cabinet, although OF
high standing as an adviser of the Gov
ernment. the letter is said to be furth-
er removed from such official commu-
nications as come 10 the attention oi
the State Department 1t is not ex-
pected therefore that the Department
will be able to throw any light on the
accuracy of the letter for the present Al
least.
The circumstances under which let
ter of this character could escape from
the privacy of the two persons betweer
whom IL passed. excites much comment
The general belief is that 1t was never
delivered to Senior Canalejas, but was
stolen while en- route. Canalejas was
IN Washington some months ago. and
then went to Cuba for the purpose 81
observing the condition OF affairs there
AS a former Minister in the Liberia
Cabinet, having been Minister of JUS
tice. and as editor OF Eel Heraldo" al
Madrid, he was accorded warm recep-
tion by Minister Dupuy de LONE. who
gave a banquet In his honor. which was
attended by a number OF prominent
business men, He then left for Cuba
and his mission necessarily brought him
into continued correspondence witt
Minister De LONE.
As the letter bears no date. the time
II was written can only be fixed by the
context. That II was after the Pres
ident's message is evident. The men
tion OF the approaching autonomous
Cabinet establishes that il was before
the Inauguration of the Cabinet Janu-
ary lst. This places the letter, accord
ing 70 the prevailing impression. as
having been written about the middle
of December AT that time Senol
Canalejas is known to have been al
Havana prosecuting his mission. Tht
handling OF the mails is done by thf
Spanish authorities, so that in this case
1t is believed that the loss OF the letter
could only be one of two ways: Eth
er through the treachery OF an officia
at the postal service, or by being takeI