Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1898 — QUITS OUR CAPITAL. [ARTICLE]

QUITS OUR CAPITAL.

Spanish* Minister Demands and Is Given His Passports. CLOSES THE LEGATION AND LEAVES. ■ No Dunonitratlon Attend* Hl* Dep»rtur* An Attache Say* Spanish i Sailors Will Prefer Death to Surrender. Washington, April 21. —The Spanish minister, accompanied by six members of his staff, left Washington at 7:80 o’clock Wednesday night, and the Spanish government thus terminated its diplomatic representation in the United States. The minister and his party left by the Pennsylvania road going northward to Buffalo and Suspension Bridge and thence to Toronto. By 10:40o’clbck this morning the Spanish officials will be on British soil. They will stop for a day or two on the Canadian side of Suspension Bridge, and will then spend some days at Toronto. From there they go to Halifax to take an ocean liner. While the minister is on this side of the border the protection of the passports issued by the state department at his request, following the delivery of a copy of tne president’s'ultimatum to Spain. Polo and His Party. The departure of the Spanish party was made without noticeable demonstration, and although a considerable number of secret service officers and police were on duty at the depot, there was at no time any occasion for their doing more than keeping back a crowd of curious onlookers. At six o’clock Wednesday evening Senor Polo made a

hurried call at the French embassy and the Austrian legation, where Spanish interests are left in charge, and then joined his staff at the legation and started for the train. As the minister entered the station he was recognized by the crowd, which closed in about him until gently cautioned by the officers. No words of indignity were spoken, and the salutations of those in the crowd were rather agreeable than otherwise. He smiled in acknowledgment of the attention given him and several times touched his hat. He wore a brown tweed suit, and a soft felt traveling hat. Following him came Senor Fabler Solar, first secretary of ths legation; Senor Acqaroni, second secretary; Senores Fla and Almeida, attaches; Capt. De la Cast, military attache, and Lieut. De Caranthai naval attache. Expresses His Sorrow. Secret service men remained at the platform to prevent intrusion and half a dozen police officers were grouped outside. At no time, however, were their services required. The minister stood on the front platform and had a few parting words with his friends. He spoke feelingly of his departure, saying the circumstances were most painful to him. One of his intimates ventured the suggestion that he would be back soon again under much more favorable circumstances, but he shook his head and said he feared tills could not be the case. He said his request for his passports had been made only after the enactment of a law which attacked Spain’s sovereignty, Impugned her honor and Insulted her. A Question of Honor Solely. Lieut. De Carantha asked the representative of the press to make known the lieutenant’s view on the war about to be opened. He said the Spanish people, particularly members of the army and navy, had always entertained the most cordial feelings toward America, and Spanish ships had found It a pleasure to salute ships of the American navy. Now, however, a war was being precipitated by an attack upon Spain’s honor, and against thia every spark of Spanish loyalty would be aroused. He continued: *7t *• longer a question of retaining Cuba. That was mirely & dueetlon of territory. Now a higher pu rpoe* is tn view -the honor and dignity of Spain—since the United Blates has contemptuously ordered Spain to vacate Cube, end has made the Infamous charge that we are responsible for the murder of the poor men of the Maine. These orders and charges are made with a kick of the boot, and against such action Spain will resist to the Uttermost. There should bo no mistake about this. History has recorded that even the legions of Napoleon. with <OO,OOO men, bearing the trlamphsofall Europe, were halted and retired from Spain, after those legions had lost between 200,000 and 200,000 men. We recognise the gallantry of the American navy end the notable heroes of Its past—Paul Jones, Farragut, Porter—but Spain, too, has her heroes, and their blood Is In the veins of those now called upon to defend

hsr honor. I speak after recently talking witn my naval associates, commanders ox Spanish ships and of torpedo boats, and I th . a u 18 „ but one ••ntlment, ! namely, that not one Spanish ship shall be • J 4 *®* 1 - Your navy may send many of them 1 to the bottom; superior forces may seek i to annihilate them, but not one Spanish ship will surrender to the American navy. With honor at stake, that will be the response of the navy pf Spain.” Lieut. De Carantha spoke with great earnestness, and his statement was ; taken in notes and authorized. The Spanish legation is now closed. 1 An attendant remained there simply to clear up the effects of hasty departure, I but the official existence of the legation • is terminated. The Cuban colonial delegation also terminated its relations at Washington Wednesday afternoon. It had come here by appointment of the Cuban au- ■ tonomist cabinet for the main purpose of effecting a reciprocity treaty. Senor Angulo was at the head of the delegation. He left for New York at four p. m. and his associates accompanied him. Thus both the representatives of Spain and of Spanish rule In Cuba have terminated their relations here. j