The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-04-19
Thai D ARCOS AFFAIR
Not ApoIogized For but Ex-
planned Away.
TALK OF SHUTTING DOWN
On Common Folks Familiar
ity With Diplomats.

learned that no instructions were sent
from Washington 20 Mr.. Storer, the
United States minister ad Madrid, rela-
| tive to the presentation OF regrets for
| the extension to the Duo D'Arcos, the
| Spanish minister here, Of the invitation
to attend the celebration in Chicago Of
the destruction OF the Spanish fleet in
Manila harbor. In other words, Mr.. Stor-
er acted according to his own judgment
! and upon his own responsibility in any
representation ne may have made to the
Spanish foreign Office on this subject. 1t
Is not to be inferred from this statement
| that his action, even as reported, IS dis
approved here. On the contrary, it is
declared that his course was in thorough
accord with the proprieties of official
etiquette, and that he showed excellent
Judgment in anticipating a complaint
which would have been disagreeable to
meet. His course is closely akin to that
pursued by Lord Pauncefote the Brit
ish ambassador here, in stating to Sec
rotary Hay, in advance of any informa-
Macrum's mail, that if such an act had
been committed, it was a source of re-
greet and was unauthorized.
The officials are careful to make 1t
clear that Mr.. Storer did not make an
apology in the name of his government
and they are confident that the Madrid
dispatch conveys an erroneous impress
sion on that point. Inasmuch as the
offense, If there has been any offense,
was perpetrated by a municipality for
whose actions the United States is in no
sense responsible. it would, of course
not be proper for the United States gov
eminent to make an apology. On the
other hand, as already indicated, it was
entirely competent for Mr.. Storer to per-
sonally explain to the Spanish minister
Of foreign affairs that the United States
government has no Jurisdiction in such
cases and also to point out how the Incl
dent may have occurred without inten-
tional disrespect to Spain.
1t has long been enormously stated in
connection with this subject that the
Spanish minister was singled out for in
suit in this matter; that he alone of the
of an invitation to attend the celebra-
ton. Undoubtedly this would have added
greatly to the gravity of the offense,
were the statement correct. But inquiry
today discloses the fact that many Of
the members of the diplimatic body have
received invitations to attend the dem
onstration in Chicago, and it is assumed
that, If others have not received their in
vitations, it is only because of delays
in the mail. At any rate, the diplomatic
representatives of the continental powers
have been honored in this fashion.
The Spanish minister is satisfied with
the explanation of the affair that has
been made by Mayor Harrison, and he
says that he will not make the incident
the subject of any representations TO
the state department; so that is the end
of 1t. The whole occurrence. however,
has had the effect to emphasize in the
minds of the officials here, the propriety
of RENTING to the state department any
exchanges vetween the diplomatic body
here and the promoters of enterprises and
national, state, or municipal. 1t has only
recently come to be the custom for the
about to take place in Chicago, to address I
themselves directly to foreign representa-
tives in Washington. With the best of
intentions on the part Of the projectors,
much mischief may result from this lax
ity. In the present case, for instance,
it may ready be perceived that the &C
ceptance by a member of the diplomatic
body in Washington of an invitation to /
gIorify the crushing defeat Of the Span |
ish navy at the hands of the American /
navy might constitute a gross violation |
of the spirit OF neutrality which is sup /
posed to animate governments, and /
might involve in difficulty with his own /
government the unwary diplomatist who /
accepted such an invitation.
1t is said at the state department that /
it is too much to expect that there /
should be a general expression on all /
these little diplomatic intrtcacies, where !
fore. to prevent humiliating incidents, It +
would be better for projectors Of public ,
demonstrations who desire TO secure the /
attendance OF the diplomatic corps, 10 |
avail themselves of the knowledge and |
experience of the officials OF the state 1
department.
Chicago, April 1S.-Mayor Harrison has
received from the Danish minister at
WASHINGTON. c. Blum. a letter expressing /
his regret at not being able To attend the
Dewey celebration, owing to the amount
Of work on hand which would keep him
in Washington