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millions of Spanish…Americans would be of but small account in
the total vote of the country。
Then； too； I had little sympathy with aspirations for what
Spanish revolutionists call freedom； and no admiration at all for
Central American republics。 I had officially examined one of them
thoroughly； had known much of others； and had no belief in the
capacity of people for citizenship who prefer to carry on
government by pronunciamtentos； who never acknowledge the rights
of majorities； who are ready to start civil war on the slightest
pretext； and who； when in power； exercise a despotism more
persistent and cruel than any since Nero and Caligula。 No Russian
autocrat； claiming to govern by divine right； has ever dared to
commit the high…handed cruelties which are common in sundry West
Indian and equatorial republics。 I felt that the great thing was
to gain time before doing anything which might result in the
admission of the millions trained under such influences into all
the rights； privileges； and powers of American citizenship。
But there came the destruction of the Maine in the harbor of
Havana； and thenceforward war was certain。 The news was brought
to me at a gala representation of the opera at Berlin； when； on
invitation from the Emperor； the ambassadors were occupying a
large box opposite his own。 Hardly had the telegram announcing
the catastrophe been placed in my hands when the Emperor entered；
and on his addressing me I informed him of it。 He was evidently
shocked； and expressed a regret which； I fully believe； was
deeply sincere。 He instantly asked； with a piercing look； 〃Was
the explosion from the outside？〃 My answer was that I hoped and
believed that it was not； that it was probably an interior
explosion。 To my great regret； the official report afterward
obliged me to change my mind on the subject； but I still feel
that no Spanish officer or true Spaniard was concerned in the
matter。 It has been my good fortune to know many Spanish
officers； and it is impossible for me to conceive one of their
kind as having taken part in so frightful a piece of treachery；
it has always seemed to be more likely that it was done by a
party of wild local fanatics； the refuse of a West Indian
seaport。
The Emperor remained firm in his first impression that the
explosion was caused from the outside。 Even before this was
established by the official investigation； he had settled into
that conclusion。 On one occasion； when a large number of leading
officers of the North Sea Squadron were dining with him； he asked
their opinion on this subject； and although the great
majorityindeed； almost all presentthen believed that the
catastrophe had resulted from an interior explosion； he adhered
to his belief that it was from an exterior attack。
On various occasions before that time I had met my colleague the
Spanish ambassador； Senor Mendez y Vigo； and my relations with
him had been exceedingly pleasant。 Each of us had tried to keep
up the hopes of the other that peace might be preserved； and down
to the last moment I took great pains to convince him of what I
knew to be the truththat the policy of President McKinley was
to prevent war。 But I took no less pains to show him that Spain
must aid the President by concessions to public opinion。 My
personal sympathies； too； were aroused in behalf of my colleague。
He had passed the allotted threescore years and ten； was
evidently in infirm health； had five sons in the Spanish army；
and his son…in…law had recently been appointed minister at
Washington。
Notice of the declaration of war came to me under circumstances
somewhat embarrassing。 On the 21st of April； 1898； began the
festivities at Dresden on the seventieth birthday of King Albert
of Saxony； which was also the twenty…fifth anniversary of his
accession； and in view of the high character of the King and of
the affection for him throughout Germany； and； indeed； throughout
Europe； nearly every civilized power had sent its representatives
to present its congratulations。 In these the United States
joined。 Throughout our country are large numbers of Saxons； who；
while thoroughly loyal to our Republic； cherish a kindly and even
affectionate feeling toward their former King and Queen。
Moreover； there was a special reason。 For many years Dresden had
been a center in which very many American families congregated
for the purpose of educating their children； especially in the
German language and literature； in music； and in the fine arts；
no court in Europe had been so courteous to Americans properly
introduced； and in various ways the sovereigns had personally
shown their good feeling toward our countrymen。
It was in view of this that the Secretary of State instructed me
to present an autograph letter of congratulation from the
President to the King； and on the 20th of April I proceeded to
Dresden； with the embassy secretaries and attaches； for this
purpose。 About midnight between the 20th and 21st there came a
loud and persistent knocking at my door in the hotel； and there
soon entered a telegraph messenger with an enormously long
despatch in cipher。 Hardly had I set the secretaries at work upon
it than other telegrams began to come； and a large part of the
night was given to deciphering them。 They announced the
declaration of war and instructed me to convey to the various
parties interested the usual notices regarding war measures：
blockade； prohibitions； exemptions； regulations； and the like。
At eleven o'clock the next morning； court carriages having taken
us over to the palace； we were going up the grand staircase in
full force when who should appear at the top； on his way down；
but the Spanish ambassador with his suite！ Both of us were； of
course； embarrassed。 No doubt he felt； as I did； that it would
have been more agreeable just then to meet the representative of
any other power than of that with which war had just been
declared； but I put out my hand and addressed him； if not so
cordially as usual； at least in a kindly way； he reciprocated the
greeting； and our embarrassment was at least lessened。 Of course；
during the continuation of the war； our relations lacked their
former cordiality； but we remained personally friendly。
In my brief speech on delivering President McKinley's letter I
tendered to the King and Queen the President's congratulations；
with thanks for the courtesies which had been shown to my
countrymen。 This was not the first occasion on which I had
discharged this latter duty； for； at a formal presentation to
these sovereigns some time before； I had taken pains to show that
we were not unmindful of their kindness to our compatriots。 The
festivities which followed were interesting。 There were dinners
with high state officials； gala opera； and historical
representations； given by the city of Dresden； of a very
beautiful character。 On these occasions I met various eminent
personages； among others the Emperor of Austria and his prime
minister； Count Goluchowsky； both of whom discussed current
international topics with clearness and force； and I also had
rather an interesting conversation with the papal nuncio at
Munich； more recently in Paris； Lorenzelli； with reference to
various measures looking to the possible abridgment of the war。
On the third day of the festivities came a great review； and a
sight somewhat rare。 To greet the King there were present the
Emperor of Germany； the Emperor of Austria； and various minor
German sovereigns； each of whom had in the Saxon army a regiment
nominally his own； and led it past the Saxon monarch； saluting
him as he reviewed it。 The two Emperors certainly discharged this
duty in a very handsome； chivalric sort of way。 In the evening
came a great dinner at the palace； at which the King and Queen
presided。 The only speech on the occasion was one of
congratulation made by the Emperor of Austria； and it was very
creditable to him； being to all appearance extemporaneous； yet
well worded； quiet； dignified； and manly。 The ceremonies closed
on Sunday with a grand 〃Te Deum〃 at the palace church； in the
presence of all the majesties；the joy expressed by the music
being duly accentuated by cannon outside。
I may say； before closing this subject； that Thomas Jefferson's
famous letter to Governor Langdon； describing royal