The Washington herald., 1907-06-01
URUGUAY ROW STIRS
Diplomatic Circles Are Inter
ested in the Sensation
STATEMENT OF LIEUT.. SAEz
Military Attache Says "sOmethinE
Wrong in Legation Here"-Dis-
missed officials Take Up Case with
Their Government-Fricti Starts
from Time of Minister'S Arrival.

Diplomatic circles are huzZlug Win sup
rosa comment upon the row that is in
progress at the Uruguayan Legation be
tween Minister Luis Melian Lahnur and
Lieut. Eduardo Mario Saez, military and
naval attache. and Senior Pedro Requena
Bermudez. the first secretary.
Interest centers around the letters ad-
dressed by the Minister TO Secretary Root,
requesting him TO withhold any informa-
ton from Lieut. Saez and Senor Bermu-
dez. and explaining that the two diplo-
mats had been relieved Of their official
duties and connection with the legation.
Secretary Root. however. does not intend
to allow the State Department 90 become
involved in the row and would make no
comment yesterday upon the situation al
the South American legation.
Il is understood that Lieut. Saez, in re-
questing his government 20 allow him 70
bring legal action against Minister Lah-
nur. bases this action partly on the let
tcrs in the hands Of the Secretary Of
state, which tho attache believes we're So
worded as 20 imply that De could not be
trusted and was likely TO use official
information for private purposes. Lieut..
Saez said yesterday that the Minister had
accused him on several occasions Of using
the name Of the legation for private pur-
poses and that as the accusations were
unfounded he felt he should have redress.
"something Wrong at Legation"
If the Uruguayan government afttr re-
cciving all the evidence which Lieut. Saez
has mailed 20 the minister of foreign az
fairs in his country, decides to make an
official investigation Of the matter the
state Department and the Bureau of
American Republics. 20 which the
/ I-ruguayan Minister also wrote. viii be
/ requested u give over Minister Latnur S
letters 10 Uruguay as evidence IN the
/ case. It is not expected that the Uruguay
an government will act in the matter
Iuntu it hears Minister Lafuur's side OF
/ the case. Senior Bermudez intends %
leave Washington Immediately for Monte
yideo 90 explain the situation TO his gov.
eminent
/ Lieut.. Saez. the suspended naval at
/ taghc, is one Of the most popular m~m-
/ bers of the diplomatic corps, and also q
man Of quick determination as shown Dos
/ his vigorous denial of an charges against
/ his honor as am officer and maa. 9Th.
conduct Of Minister Lafingr is most eN.
/ traordinary" said Lieut.. Saez yesterday
The charges are hasoless and / Eav.
asked the military tribunal Of my cam
try 10 examine every act referred % anc
/ spare no pains iu getting at the truth
II am accused by Minister Lafnur of
I- name OF the legation fox p-i
oses, also for acts Of irregu
so ridiculous in their iusinua
[ think when the government
1nslder the case il viii see tina
wrong at the legation hcr.
tion from the start.
and his wife live In hand
neuts, and the implication
guilty Of attempting % saw
1v use of his capacity as
.,auye Of the legation seems ridl
Iculous TO him. II appears that relation
between the Minister and attache la
been strained almost since the Minister
arrival In Washington. Matters came q
q lfHf WleE 10y lIarNthf H IN t''.Ff ilt'I t-t
for So a private account OF Lieut. Sac7
was sent to the legation. The attach
endeav0red 90 explain 90 the MinIs'e
that IL was a mistake. and that he In
tended % pay the bill ont Of his p4-lle'
as was expected, bag the Minister wa
apparently not satisfied.
This matter might have been over
looked by the Minister bat for the fac
that Lieut. Saez had apparently failed {
see the reason for certain rules and regU
lati0us instituted by the new Minister
+ and had acted as De saw fit, indeptnd
emily Of HIS chiefs desires In this respec
/ The attache claims that he is indcpondcr
Of the Minister and need not conform Z
the restrictions laid down hy that oaieia
! For instance. the Minister had ordero
b that the secretary and at-aCEe shUu.
, make an official call upon him a. loas
once every day. Lieut. Saez, living ava
/. from the legation. did not see the ncce.
s.tv for such routine, and showed Do
4 opinions on the subject by his action
b. neglectlng the official visit whenever
was inC0nvenicnt % make it.