The Washington herald., 1907-05-31
DIPLOMATS OUSTED
Uruguayan Minister Drops
Two Of His Aids.
NO REASON GIVEN FOR ACT
Rumor Has II Secretary Bermude1
and Naval Attache Saez Are SUM
Lannur-InsubOrdina Is Hinted
At--Creates Much Comment.

That Dr. LUIS Mellan Lannur, Minister
from Uruguay. has summarily dismissed
Senor Pedro Requena Bermudez. secre-
tary II the legation, whom Minister Lah-
nur succeeded. and suspended Second
Lieut. Eduardo Marie Saez. naval attache,
is the latest bit Of gossip going the rounds
Of the diplomatic circles.
/ Il was further gOssiped that Minister
1 Ladnur has written 10 the State Depart
ment, advising the government of the
! United States that the men mentioned are
/ no longer connected with the legation,
/ thereby setting . precedent that is said TO
I have caused much discussion among the
/ members Of the corps Of foreign repre-
! seHtatiyes in the Capital
/ Diplomats are losth TO talk about the
/ matter but Il is understood that members
/ Of South American legations here have
/ been informed that both Secretary Ber-
mudez and Lieut. Saez have taken the
matter up with their government and
! that they expect some action to result
/ from their communications.
/ That charges have been fled with the
/ Uruguayan government concerning the
/ men is stated. but the nature Of these
charges have not been disclosed by either
4 the ni,n accused or by the Miaister, who
/ has nothing to say concerning the rumor
OF his action.
1 Lieut.. Saez is said to have been only
temporarily suspended, while the secre-
| tsry has been finally dismissed and in
structed that his services are no longer
needed about the legation, which is at
/ 1916 Twenty-frst street
Minister in Charge Alone.
The result is that Minister I.ainur Is in
charge Of the legation ny himself. and
will be compelled, until successors to the
secretary and at-acbe have been named,
20 conduct the business for his govern
ment without assistance.
What the charges against the men are
is not known. even by those who were
willing % talk vaguely about the matter
yesterday, but il is hinted that insubordi-
nation is one Of them. This rUmOr, like
the rest, could not be verified. but IL was
intimated that there might be some ques-
tiou as TO how far the minister's requests
had been within reason.
Because Of the deliCateneSs OF the sub
iect none Of the diplomatic corps or the
people directly involved would make any
statements yesterday, but it was init
mated that Minister Lafuur has said
ttlGA Niilif ftAilLf~N ANt-0 INk ff-4 -I4lk his
discussing the matter at length, al this
time, he will explain everything satisfac-
tory when the time comes.
The Minister came 10 Washington as
the representative Of his government on
January Of this year This is said 10
be his first diplomatic post, he having
formerly been a soldier Of much distlnc-
tion in his own and other South American
republics.
Causes Great Surprise.
That the action Of the minister has
caused surprise in diplomatic circles is
putting it mildly. for it was the sole
topic Of discussion yesterday among those
who knew Of the supposed action Of the
minister.
His dismissing the members Of his staff
is unprecedented, and the etiquette Of
diplomacy forbids the minister's col
leagues from discussing the matter pub
licly. but all are eager to see what ac-
ton the Uruguayan government will take.
Whether or not the minister's letter TO
the State Department has been received
IS not known, for no one from that de-
partment could be seen yesterday. and IL
is quite improbable they would feel at
liberty to discuss the matter until there
is some official communication received
from the proper authorities in Uruguay.