The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-14
ASPTROS SNUBBED
BY THE DIPLOMATS
Mexican Ambassador the Object Of a
Bitter Boycott.
EVEN THE YOUNG ATTACHES
OF European Legations Refuse to Per-
form The Ordinary CiVilitiNS.
INTERESTING BITS OF HISTORY
Aspiros Was the Advocate General of
the Mexican Army, and it Was
His Duty to Condemn Max
imilian to Death.

Washington, April 1S.-(special.)-T new
Mexican ambassador, Mr.. Aspiros, is the
object of bitter boycott in diplomatic cir
cles in the city just now. He is being
snubbed on every side, even young attaches
of the various European legations refusing
to perform the ordinary civiities common
among the diplomats accredited to our
capital
The boycott had its beginning, 1t might be
said, in the death of Emperor Macmillan
of Mexico, and will only end when the
Mexican government recalls the present
ambassador. 1t is more than likely that
President Diaz will continue Mr. Aspiros at
Washington and accept the snubbing of the
European diplomats a token of honor
for his representative Mr. Aspiros has for
many years been the object of scorn of the
European diplomats in Mexico City, and
when he was appointed ambassador to this
country the various foreigners in Mexico
wrote to their fellow diplomatic associ-
ates in this country giving the offenses of
which Mr. Aspiros stands charged.
Cause of MIR. Aspiros' Unpopularity
1t seems that Mr.. Aspiros was the judge
advocate general of the Mexican army and
was detailed by President Juarez to try the
pretender Macmillan. The latter was an
Austrian arch duke, as is we'll known, and
under the protection of the French claimed
the throne of Mexico. Being an arch duke
of Austria and a nephew of Emperor
Francis Joseph he is an object of special
hate from the Austrians, whose represent
tatives here are among the most popular
members of the diplomatic corps. He was
likewise the husband of Carlotta, who is the
sister of the king of Belgium, and who is
confined in mad house near the capital
of her brother. This brings the matter
very close to the Count and Countess Lich-
derveld, who represent the Belgium govern
ment here.
In spite of the fact that 1t was the gov
eminent of Mexico and not Mr.. AspiroS who
condemned Macmillan to death, the latter
seems to be the object upon whom both
the Belgians and the Austrians level their
fiercest hate.
Aspiros Not to BE Blamed
1t was practically decreed before the trial
that Macmillan must pay the penalty of
ambition with his life, and Mr.. Aspiros was
merely the instrument of wra .hfu people
and an indignant government Macmillan
was sentenced after being ably defended
by five lawyers and shot at Queretaro.
Since then the Austrian government has
never resumed diplomatic relations in
Mexico, and the Belgiums here have never
been intimate with the Mexican represent
tatives But none of the other powers,
whose sympathies were naturally with
Macmillan, have ever shown any resent
ment. whatsoever In fact. both Great
Britain and Germany refused to sustain
Macmillan at the time of his preposterous
claims and why they should now be drawn
into a boycott of Mr.. Aspiros is somewhat
perpleXing.
There has been some talk for sometime
that such social boycott had been insti-
tuted but the fact that 1t had been ''un
fait accomplis' has just come to light
The Slight Not Accidental
Tt is customary for all diplomats to pay a
personal call on a new member of corps
when he arrived in Washington, for after his
official recognition he must pay the first
formal visit on the diplomats whom he
finds here. This informal recognition which
is always given even to the humblest of
diplomats was not paid to the Mexican.
This might have been accidental but re-
cent events have shown that 1t was not so.
After his formal presentation to President
Mckinley, Mr.. Aspiros left his card at the
legations but not one has returned this
official visit Still there might have been
an accident but when Ex-Secretary and
Mrs. Foster gave a reception in honor of
the Mexican, every minister and ambassa-
dor sent his regrets. This is not only an
insult to the Mexican, but to the distin-
guished American diplomat who has rep
resented this country in diplomatic posts
oftener than any other American citizen.
In order to emphasize the boycott the
Count and Countess Lichderveld gave a re-
ception last week. and the only members of
the corps not present were Mexico's min
lister and his wife. Their absence was due
to the fact that they had not been hon
ored with invitations.
The Government Disappr0ves
This government can do nothing but
show the disapproval of the action of the
other representatives by showing special
favors to the Mexican and his wife. 1t Is
thought here that president Diaz will GER
tainly resent the insult, but it will be in
terestlng to see how. Mr.. Aspros is one
of the brainiest men in the republic of
Mexico, and is a most courtly and charm
ing man. He was not responsible for the
death of Macmillan nor for the insanity
OF Carlotta. She comes from a family in
the first place, whose blood is so saturated
with the germ of madness that it can
hardly be an alliance with another royal
family of Europe. 1t is true that she has
never been sane since her husband was
shot, but her family might have as well
blame the pape and the French-both of
whom turned deaf ear to her pleadings
when she appealed to them to save the life
of her husband. Some of her actions and
extravigances during the short time she
was empress of Mexico would Indicate that
insanity had already set in.
1t Is said here by some of the diplomats
that Mr.. Aspiros was especially vindictive
in the trial of Macmillan, and had 1t
not been for him the life of the unfortunate
archduke would have been saved.
A. W. B..