Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-11

villalobar. Spanish minister to Washing
ton. has been transferred to Lisbon.
Minister Villalobar Surprised.
Marquis de Viilalobar, the Spanish min
lister. was greatly surprised when in
formed that he had been transferred.
You greatly surprise me- he said.
Il do not understand 1t at all. There
must be some mistake. Don't you think
1t likely that your correspondent at Mad
rid is in error"
Assured that the news was apparently
authentic. he continued.
About a month and a half ago my
government asked me IL / would go to
Lisbon and take up a number of very
important matters between Spain and
Portugal. / replied that I preferred to
remain as minister to the. United states"
while | would be glad to go IL my
government required il. I Informed the
king l had been happy here and every
relation with this government was most
pleasant. Since that time ! have heard
nothing further In the matter and sup
posed that 1t had been dropped
Denies He Has Been Offended.
The minister was asked if anything
had occurred here which might have led
to his transfer. In reply MARQUIS de
Villalobar denounced as absolutely un-
true report to the effect that he had
been the leading figure in an unpleasant
episode at the recent diplomatic reception
at the White House.
On this occasion. the report ran, the
other ministers from the foreign anfbas-
sadors, and that he resented this ciassifi-
cation.
Marquis 'dg~~vYlialobar is one OF the
newest members OF the diplomatic corps.
having presented his credentials to the
President only July 81 last. No official
information as to the reported transfer
of the Spanish minister has been received
at the State Department
Transfer Not Caused by Incident.
At the State Department it was stated
today that the incident at the White
House reception had been magnified far
beyond its Importance. Its only basis
Is said to have been a mistake on the
part of a messenger in the execution OF
his duties.
Because the matter was published in
the newspapers. the Marquis of Vilialo-
bar felt called upon, however to visit
the officials Of the State Department and
explain his position. He personally as
sured them that there was absolutely
no truth whatever I'm the published state
ment that he had been affronted at the
reception. and he wanted them specially
to know that he had no grievance and
certainly had not made any report on
the subject to his government or to any
other authority.
In an interview with Assistant Secretary
Wilson the Spanish minister said he re-
gretted exceedingly that a matter of the
smallest consequence had been dignified
oy pupication In the newspapers. or even
mentioned by any one.
All the officials of the State Department
approached on the subject said they were
absolutely confident that IL the Marquis
of Vfllalobar has been transferred from
this capital to Lisbon the action of the
Spanish government had no possible con-
nection with the so-called incident at the
White House dipiomatio reception.
Recent Diplomatic Incident.
All members of the diplomatic corps
are more or less punctilious i'm regard t.
matters Of precedence and the rccogni-
tion of their official positions as repre-
sentatives of sovereign states. The Mar
quis of Villalobar Is said TO be an ex-
tremist in matters of that kind. There
are others equally insistent on so
called diplomatic rights and prerogatiyes.
An instance of this sort occurred in
August last, in connection with the CEN
tennial celebration OF the founding of the
city of Toledo. Ohio. Several members OF
the diplomatic corps were invited 10 par
ticipate in that celebration. Among them
were Senior de la Barra. the Mexican am
bassador; the Marquis of Eillalobar, the
Spanish minister. and Senor don Her
rarte. the minister of Guatemala.
Each of these gentlemen accepted the
invitation. and the Spanish and Guate-
malan ministers attended. Ambassador
Barra at the last moment found it mex
pedient to be present.
His change of mind was due to an un-
fortunate complication as to preced-
ence which arose from the fact that after
he had accepted the Spanish minister re-
ceived commission as the direct per-
sonal representative of the king OF Spain.
AS such the Marquis of Villalobar claim
ed and was accorded precedence at the
ceIebation ever all other foreign repre-
sentatves, including the ambassador from
Mexico.
Mexican Ambassador Withdraws.
Senior de la Barra declined to concede
the point made in favor of Minister Villa
lobar, and Cancelled his engagement to
attend the celebration He explained
that his rank of ambassador would not
permit him to yield precedence to min
ister Notwithstanding the latter's promi-
nence or any special commission he might
hold.
The amba ssador said that that was a
rule of conduct in international etiquette
and intercourse that had universal sanc-
ton and was fully recognized by the De-
partment of State.
AS currently reported here it was just
this articular rule which led to the So
called incident at the White House re-
ception last Tuesday. The ambassadors
were accorded the usual place of honor in
the order of being received and IL is said,
were invited behind the line OF the re-
ceiving party. privilege said to have
been denied to the foreign ministers in
GLIDING the Marquis Of Viilalobar, who
vas presented to the President and Mrs.
Taft shortly afterward.
To Inspect Consulate.