The record-union., 1895-05-13
Special to the REcoKp-uN1ox.


WASHINGTON, May 12.-The diplomatic
trouble concerning United States Minis
ter to Venezuela Hazleton. resulting from
serious charges made by Admiral Meade,
as given by the Associated Press, reflect
ing severely upon the sobriety Of the
Minister, and asserting that the business
of the legation, almost from the date
when he took charge year ago, has been
conducted altogether by the Secretary OF
the legation, Mr.. Bartlemann, who has
been stationed at Caracas for the past i've
years, has been the absorbing theme to-
day.
MIR. Hazleton has received dispatch
from Hon. B. B. Smalley of Vermont,
through whose influence he was ap-
pointed Minister to Venezuela, stating
that he would arrive in Washington to-
morrow to give personal attention to
them. 1t is known definitely that Secre-
tary Gresham, in a cable dispatch to the
Minister called for his resignation The
Minister desires to see the specific charges,
and before rendering his resignation Will
endeayor to have his side OF the case pre-
scented to President Cleveland.
Assistant Secretary Uhl expected the
written resignation of HaZleton TO be ten
dered yesterday, and asked for it at an
interview with the Minister in the morn
ing, and again at o'clock, but Mr.. Halle
ton asked that action be deferred until the
arrival of Mr.. Smalley, with view to
putting in a defense to the charges, He
says he feels that his future standing is at
stake, and this is more than the retention
of his diplomatic mission, which he will
undoubtedly resign.
The correspondence leading up to Mr..
MS hapn n
tirely by cable. Secretary GreSham'S dis
patch stated that facts had come TO the
knowledge OF the President which COM
PEELED him to call for the Minister'S i'm
mediate resignation. Mr.. Gresham spoke
with deep regret of the necessity for this
course. No specific charges were men
toned. MIR. Hazleton's dispatch in an
swer asked permission to leave for Wash
lngton TO resign. His purpose was 10
come here and learn the charges, but by
an inadvertence he had requested that he
might return to resign" This last phrase
was construed to mean resignation, and
accordingly Assistant Secretary Uhl has
ask ed that the resignation be submitted
in accordance with the dispatches.
Mr.. Hazleton is much depressed over
the condition OF affairs. He speaks
frankly in defense of himself, although
reserved as TO departmental matters. lie
referred to-day 10 several further feat
lIres of Admiral Meade's visit to Vene-
Zuela showing in the judgment OF the
Minister the animus of the charges. One
OF the occurrences was IN the presence of
President Crespo OF Venezuela. at had
been arranged" said the Minister, ''that
l should pursue the usual course of an
official in presenting the Admiral to the
President. When, however, the Presi-
dent entered unex xpectedly, Admiral
Meade advanced to him, shook his hand,
and began speaking in Spanish. The
a lAl Nreu ua6
knowing the arrangements for an official
presentation. AT the first opportunity l
stepped forward and theTeupon formally
introduced Admiral Meade TO the Presi-
dent, ana the Admiral presented his staff
officers. 1t was evident that the Ad-
mlral was nettled that his informal greet
ing of the President had not sufflced, al
though it was contrary to the honor due
President, and contrary 10 expressed
arrangement"
MIR. Hazleton also speaks of MS trip
from Caracas to La Guayara on the train
bearing the Admiral, ut which time the
Admiral did not call on the Minister, as
is said TO be due from an Admiral to the
representative of the United States Gov
ernment. When La Guayara was reached
Mr.. Hazleton says Sunday prevented his
calling Immediately on the Admiral, as
the rules of the navy forbid salutes and
like courtesies on Sunday. When he
called the next day (Monday) and was
asked to the ward room. Mr.. Hazleton
says Admiral Meade demanded peremp
torily: why did you not call yester-
day?" The Minister says he avoided
controversy by saying he preferred not
to cali on Sunday, knowing the fleet
would remain until Monday night. He
says the courtesy shown him on the flag
ship was so scant that it was evident his
departure was desired by the Admiral.
He received, however, the usual salute of
seventeen guns due United States Min
lister.
Captain Glass OF the cruiser Cincinnati
commanded the gig conveying him to
the shore, and in course of the trip Cap
tain Glass stated that the rules of the navy
forbade Sunday salutes and like court
estes.
Mr.. Hazleton will seek to answer the
charges, and, if he prevails on the depart
ment to withdraw the request for his
esignation, he will seek leave of ab-
sence.