Mr. Woodford to Mr. Sherman.
Madrid , February 11, 1898 .
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt on the morning of February 10, instant, of Department dispatch sent by telegraph, as follows:1
I endeavored all the morning of yesterday to obtain personal interview with the Spanish minister of foreign affairs, but he was engaged with the council of ministers and I did not succeed in seeing him until 4 o’clock in the afternoon. I then stated that it was with sincere regret that I must read to him the dispatch which I had received from my Government at Washington relating to Señor Dupuy de Lôme. I then read to him and at his request left with him a copy of the telegram received by me from the Department, and added that I would communicate at once to my Government by telegraph such answer as his excellency might make. He replied that the Spanish Government sincerely regretted the indiscretion of their minister at Washington, and that the resignation of the Spanish minister had been asked and accepted by cable before our then interview. He added that the first secretary of legation at Washington would be placed at once in charge of the legation and that a new minister would be appointed as soon as possible, and who might be expected to reach Washington in about fifteen days.
It is possible that I misunderstood the Spanish minister in what he said about asking the minister’s resignation. He may have said that the resignation had been offered (instead of asked) and accepted by cable.
I at once telegraphed you.1
The minister of foreign affairs was cordial, direct and courteous. In public evidence of the cordiality of the personal relations subsisting between myself and the Spanish Government, it was at once arranged that the Spanish ministers of foreign affairs and of the colonies should join a small dinner which I am giving to-night.
I am, etc.,