The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-13
CRESPO AND THE DIPLOMATS.
DISMISSAL OF THE FRENCH AND
BELGIAN MINISTER'S.

The Action the Result of Their Sc
we're Structures on the Venezuelan
Government at "a Conference With
the Spanish and German Ministers.
They Had Demanded Indemnity
for Damage 40 the Property of Cit
izens of Their Country During the
Revolution fn Venezuela.
Washington, March 12.-The action Of
the French government in presenting
his passports to DIR. J. Gil Fortoul, the
Venezuelan charge a. affaires at Paris, is
the concluding chapter in a bit of diplo-
matte history.
Two years ago. In October last Gen.
Crespo. who had headed a successful rev
olution in Venezuela, entered the city Of
Caracas and was at once proclaimed
president of the republic. Within a few
days after his successful entry and while
the domestic affairs of the country were
in an unsettled condition a conference
was held. consisting of the French, Bel
gian, Spanish and German ministers. to
decide what action they should take re
garding the damages which the citizens
of their several countries had received
as a result of the revolution. The Ital-
ian minister was asked to be present,
but declined to attend The conference
was secret. 1t was decided that. as the
representatives of the foregoing countries,
they should call upon the president of the
new republic, Gen. Crespo, to submit the
claims of their citizens to an interna-
tional commission. This conclusion was
not in keeping with the Venezuelan law,
which recognizes the general principles
Of international law that a country shall
not be responsible for losses sustained
by foreigners residing within its boun-
daries, which have resulted from reVo-
luton. The minutes Of the conference
showed that the diplomatic quartette
which composed II had indulged in strong
criticism of Venezuela and that their stric-
lures upon the domestic and foreign pol
icy of the government were very severe.
A copy of the proceedings was furnished
to the Italian minister, who at once for
warded it to Rome. Meanwhile Gen.
Crespo, after order had been restored,
took up the claims Of the citizens of
these countries and promptly adjudicated
them. He knew, it Is said, nothing Of the
diplomatic conference, Of its conclusions,
or of its sharp criticism upon his country
His action was the result of a sincere de-
sire to indemnify the foreigners in Nene-
zuela for the losses suffered by them and
to express his friendly interest in the
governments which they represented. In
January last the minutes of the confer
ence above referred to were published in
the Italian green book. A copy of the
book was forwarded to Caracas. Presi-
dent Crespo was indignant at the com
ments made at the conference and at once
ordered that the French and Belgian
ministers, who were the only two Of the
original quartette then residing In Nene-
zuela, should be given their passports.
Dispatches contain the information that
a French man-of-war has been ordered
to La Guayra to receive the French min
lister, Mr.. Ripert Montclair. The Belgian
minister, Mr.. LeVeganeck viii doubtless
accompany his French colleague The
French government, in retaliation for the
dismissal of NJ. Montclair, on Saturday
last sent DIR. Fortoul his passports. Dr.
Fortoul is also the Venezuelan representa-
tive to Switzerland. He is now at Berne
whittier he was called some time ago
to represent the interests of Venezuela IN
a claim for damages which the president
of the Swiss republic is arbitrating. He
will probably remain at Berne until diplo-
matte relations between France and Vene-
zuela have been restored. How long the
a question which no one at this pint can
satisfactorily answer. Dismissal Of the
diplomatic representatives from the two
countries cannot result in war, or trouble
of a serious nature, inasmuch as all gov
ernments reserve the right to rid them
selves Of the diplomatic representatives
of other governments who are persona
non grata.
Washington, March 12.-Political mat
ters in the northern part of South Amer
lea have assumed a serious condition and
the navy department. will probably order
Admiral Meade's squadron to Colon A
telegram received from Admiral Meade
this morning reported that tomorrow he
would send the Minneapolis to La Quay
ara, Venezuela, thus breaking the itin-
erary for the fleet. While 1t is not admit
ted at the navy department that such is
the case, it is understood that the Ven
ezuelan situation is responsible for the
change Admiral Meade is reported to
have been informed probably from
Washington, that France threatens to
take action with reference to the expul-
sion of the French and Belgian ministers
from Venezuela and that Germany has or
dered two warships to La Guayra TO en-
force the payment of the German loan. His
dispatch of the Minneapolis is a natural
consequence.
Admiral Meade's fleet was last heard
from at Trinidad, West Indies, a few
days ago. 1t consists of the New York,
Minneapolis and Cincinnati and will be
augmented soon by the Columbia, now
at New York making active preparations
for her departure. The Alert arrived at
Panama and the Raleigh at Colon yes
terday The Atlanta was already at
Colon.
Secretary Herbert to-day received a
cablegram from Capt. Cromwell, com
manding the Atlanta. stating that all
was quiet at Bocas del Toro and all are
we'll on board his vessel. The dispatch
was dated Colon, March II.
Gladstone and the Armenfans.
London, March PA dispatch to the
Pal Mali Gazette from Tifiis saws the