Missouri Valley times., 1899-05-04
THE DIPLOMATIC BOYCOTT.
New Theory in Regard to the Ostra.
cising of Senor Aspiro1.

From Washington letter: 1t is
painfully apparent that the European
ambassadors here have determined to
boycott their new colleague, Mr.. Aspi-
roZ, of Mexico. There have been sus-
picious circumstances from the hour
of his arrival, but the officials of our
government and Washington society
generally have been reluctant to be-
lieve that such eminent and broad
minded statesmen as Sir Julian
pauncefotc, Count Cassini, Dr. Won Hol-
leben. Jules Cambon and others would
deliberately humiliatc a stranger, and
one so amiable and honorable as the
ambassador from Mexico. They no
longer conceal their intentions, and
Count l.ichdervelde, the Belgian min
ister, who telegraphed to Brussels for
instructions as to the course he should
pursue, has been directed by his gov
eminent to stand by the representa-
tives of European powers and freeze
the Mexican out.
When a new ambassador comes to
Washington he is always welcomed in
formally by his future colleagues and
they hasten TO make his acquaintance
before he is officially received by the
president. When he presents his Gre
dcntials etiquette requires him to call
at once upon all his colleagues. Then
he sets an early day to receive diem
at his embassy or legation, and they
always go i'm full force. Mr.. Aspiroz
has conformed to all the peculiaritics
OF the diplomatic code of etiquette, and
has met meme of his follow ambassa-
doris i'm person. They did not call upon
him before his presentation; when he
called upon them they were not at
home, and not one of them appeared
at his reception. This might have been
due to a series of accidents, but it was
no accident that every prominent mem
Der of the diplomatic corps sent his
regrets to the reception which ex-Sec-
retary and Mrs. John w. Foster gave
in honor of Mr.. and Mrs. Aspiroz,
which was not only u slight 10 the
guests of that evening. but to the hosts
also.
At a tea given by the Countess Lich-
dcrveldc. wife of the Belgian minister,
the truth came out. The Mexican ann
bassador and Mrs. Aspiroz were the
only members of the diplomatic corps
who were not present, and their alb
sence WAS due TO a failure to receive
invitations. Tt was deliberate insult.
The pretcNt for the boycott lies in
the historical fact that thirty years
ago Mr.. AsPiroz happened to be the
judge advocate general of the Mexican
army who was detailed by President
Juarez to try The pretcnder Maximil-
ian. Maximil;n had five distinguished
lawyers to defend him. but was CON
yicted and shot at Querctaro. The Aus
trian government has never resumed
diplomatic relations with Mexico. The
two embassies here have had no com
munication since the death of Maxi
milan, for Emperor Francis Joseph
cannot forgive or forget he execution
of his nephew. But until now there
has never been any lack of cortliality
between the Belgians and the MeNi-
cans. although Carlotta, the widow of
MaNimilian, who is now in an insane
asylum near Brussels. is the sister OF
King Leopold of Belgium. But why
the performance of military duty un.
der orders from his government by Mr..
Aspiroz a third of Il century ago should
make him an unfit associate of the
British, German. French. Russian and
Italian ambassadors is difficult to un-
derstand. Great Britain and Germany
refused to sustain N1aximilian and
practically repudiated the invasion of
Mexico, and it is not believed that
either of the governments will approve
the action of their ambassadors in de
claring a boycott against a colleague
upon such a preteXt, if they are ap>
pealed to.
However. it is believed to be only q
preteXt for a more serious reason. The
great European powers were not
pleased when the Mexican legation at
Washington was elevated to an en-
bassy on an equality with their own.
They made no formal protest but
there was n good deal of dissatisfaction
expressed privately that the represent
ative OF so small a nation rs Mexico
should be accorded the same diplo-
matte distinction by our government
that their ambassadors received The
respect felt for I he late Minister Rom
ero was so great that the Europeans
.Eould not object to him, but when "a
man without diplomatic experience,
like Mr.. Asproz came, Il boycott was
decided upon.
How Room Was Made.
London Spare Moments: A little black
md nj 10 top Iy-ic