CARRANZA'S ARREST.

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 9110, 2 July 1898, Page 2

CARRANZA'S ARREST.

Lieutenant Ramon De Carranza, who, under various names, has figured much in the cables, came into notice first through a somewhat cheap challenge to American officers. Just before the war broke out he was attache at the Spanish Legation at Washington, and on the night General Lee left Havana Lieutenant De Carranza challenged him and Captain Sigsbee, of the Maiae, to fight duels, the cause of offence being the statement by these two officers that in their opinion Spanish officers were concerned in the blowing up of the Maine This, he declared, was a direct reflection upon those in charge of the defences or Havana, and any man who made that statement as a matter of belief and without proof was himself capable of committing the crime. The chief of the Spanish Legation forbade his fiery subordinate issuing a challenge while yet a member of his staff, but the lieutenant persisted that his official position in no way interfered with his rights a) a private gentleman. It was arranged, however, that the issue should await the close of the diplomatic relations between the two Powers, when De Carranza should be relieved from any restraint After consultation with Captain De La Cara, the Spanish military attache at Washington, the challenges were issued, each closing with the intimation: " For eight days I await your answer at the Spanish Consulate at Toronto." Lieutenant De Carranza has been waiting at Toronto ever since, and filling in his time by advising Madrid as to the desirability of bombarding some of the American ports. Both Lee and Sigsbee ignored the challenged, though a Captain Stahl, of the Third Ohio Cavalry, who has some reputation as a swordsman, expressed a desire to act as their proxy, and sent a challenge to the lieutenant. Apparently this challenge, like the others, ended in smoke—not steel.