The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-05-23

Lord PauncefOte's friends believe
mat he is dying OF a broken heart, IN
duced by criticisms concerning his con
nectiOn with the Spanish-AmerIcdn
war, when it was pretty clearly shown
that the United States sheltered an
enemy in the person OF some foreign
diplomat. From the publicity given
the criticism, and the rough way IN
which the matter was handled abroad,
Lord Pauncefote became respondent,
Ind was not lOT ger able to resist the
rayages of the disease from which he
had suffered for many years. He con-
stantly discussed the matter with nIS
friends, and was otherwise visibly al
fected by it. His family shared in the
humiliation to q great extent, and sell
dom left MIN lest he might brood too
deeply over the affair. Shortly after
tn attack upon Lord PauncefOtc
Trough the newspapers he rallied from
al attack of govt and asthma and
W-nt for z visit OF a few days to the
country home OF Mr.. and Mrs. George
Vanderbilt at RiItmore. After the
criticism Lord FauncefOte retired from
social life at the capital though NJ
had taken but little part in affairs De
fore the holidays, and seldom dined out
or went Observation-Disclosures Dis
patch.
1t will be remembered that at the
time Lord Pauncefote was being at
tackled for his share in the effort OF
certain European powers to prevent
the United States government inter
fering in the Cuban-Spanish war. ii
was said that the famous joint note OF
the representatives at Washington Of
the allied powers suggested by the
British ambassador really originated
in the state department; that it was
not the work of the British embassy.
but OF the American administration.
Al that time President Mckinley
ana his cabinet were doing all they
could to bring about Il settlement Of
thu war in Cuba without going to the
extent of armed opposition to Spain.
The country. aroused to great SYM
pathy Tor the Cubans, was demanding
war with Spain. Several European
powers had rendered their good offices
in preventing tins war, which were OF
no avail Then comes Lord Paunce-
totes proposal of Il joint note much
stronger in terms and, if adopted b.
the powers of Europe. would border
closely on a threat against our gov
eminent. This would have had the
tendency to suppress the general cry
tor war to free Cuba. The great pres
sur upon the administration would
nave been relieved
If Lord P~aucnetOte in that action
was complying with Il request of our
state department it was n diplomatic
secret which he could lot reveal. no
matter now greatly his conduct was
misunderstood and ~misCOnstrued by
the people of this country. Honor and
the rules of diplomacy compelled him
to bear in silence all the harsh criti-
Cisms and abuse heaped upon him.
Secretary of State Day. could not, of
course, give the public the true facts.
Were this statement of facts true;
were Lord PauncefOte acting hOnorably
and as a true friend of the admins
tration the chan ges of base duplicity
and secret hostility lowered our gov
eminent, under such circumstances
hat he could not say a word in VinuI-
cation of himself, would more readily
account for his condition of mind and
body than if he had been discovered
in anG act OF duplicity.