Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-13
Diplomatic and Naval Circles Inter-
ested in His Case.
TEE VENEZUELAN QUESTION INVOLVED
Admiral Meade's Visit to La Guayra
and Its Consequences.
A REPORT AND STATEMENT

NermOnt, United states minister TO VeneZu-
ella, who is in this city. 1t was at
first supposed that he was merely visiting
here on leave of absence, but it has since
developed that he came for the purpose of
explaining away, if possible, certain serious
charges made against him by Rear Admiral
Meade, late in command of the North At
lanNc squadron. The charges arise out of
circumstances connected with the admiral's
recent visit to La Guayra with his squad
ron.
Admiral Mendc's Report.
What he saw there he made the subject
of a special report to the Navy Depart
ment and the report was submitted to the
President, with the result that Minister
Haselton's resignation was called for.
Instead of complying with this. the min
lister came to Washington to vindicate him
self and explain away the necessity for mis-
resignation.
Admiral Meade's report, according to
persons who know what transpired at La
Guayra, reflects severely upon the sobriety
of the minister, and asserts that the busi-
ness of the legation, almost from the date
when he took charge, a year ago, has been
conducted altogether by the Secretary of le-
cation, MIR. Bartlemann, who has been sta
toned at Caracas for the past five years.
Mr.. Haselton arrived here THURSDAY, and
has since been in consultation with State
and Navy Department officials. He has de-
sired to present his side of the case to Sec
retary Gresham. but, owing to the latter's
sickness, the conferences have been with
Assistant Secretary Uhl.
MIR. Hasclton's Statement.
Mr.. Haselton has made statement IN re-
gard to the matter, in which he says:
Il understand Admiral Meade has made
report containing serious chargest against
me, but have not yet seen the report. It
t.
concerning events which happened during
his recent visit to Venezuela. Before leav-
ing La Guayra he stated that he would
report that i was drunk at the reception
rendered to him.
when the admiral was about to come
to Caracas 1 received a telephone message
announcing that he would arrive at =
O'Clock the next day. With my secretary.
of prominent officials to be called on and
to be invited to the reception to the ad-
miral. We went about from 4 until 10
O'Clock delivering invitations. Again we
were busy with the work until 80 pm
the next day. SO that when the admiral ar
rived at o'clock l was well nigh exhaust
ed.
president Crespo had designated
O'Clock the hour for calling on him.
We accompanied the admiral in his call
on the president. Then we proceeded to
call on the members of the capnet. After
several of these calls had been made Ad-
was improper for an admiral to be thus
driving about making calls on the cabinet.
We had already made several calls, SO that
l said to the admiral that if ne went no
further it would be serious reflection on
those on whom he failed to call after hav-
ing seen their colleagues. 1 reminded him
that would have TO remain in Venezuela
after he left, and l did not wish such an
embarrassment to occur. He consented to
proceed.
Then we were detained about half a
minute at the door of one of the cabinet
officers. This also irritated the admiral,
and he resented what he regarded a
very undignified proceeding. He consented,
however, to go through with the calls, al
proval. AS result of his conduct many
prominent persons refused to attend the
reception.
These things naturally had tendency
to anger the admiral, and as 1 have said,
he threatened at La Guayra to make a
report rejecting on me. AS matter of
fact did everything could to render his
visit agreeable. Contrary to reports, the
Venezuelan government was not greatly
impressed with his visit He had expected
the cabinet to turn out to meet him. Two
carriages were placed at his disposal, but
this was not sufficient for his party, and I
added others at my own expense.
Resignation Not Submitted.
Mr. Haselton has received dispatch
from Mr.. B. B. Smalley Of Vermont
through whose influence he was appointed
minister to Venezuela, saying he would ar
rive IN Washington today to give personal
attention to the case. Assistant Secretary
Uhl expected the written resignation to be
presented Saturday, and asked for 1t at an
Interview with the minister in the morn
ing and again at o'clock. But Mr.. Hasel-
ton asked that action be deferred until the
arrival of Mr.. SmaIley, with view to put
ting in defense of the charges. He says
he feels that his future standing is at
stake and this is more to him than the re-
tention of the diplomatic mission which
he will undoubtedly resign.
Mr.. Haselton is much depressed over the
condition of affairs. He speaks frankly in
defense of himself, although reserved as
to departmental matters. He referred to-
day to several further features of Admiral
Moade's visit to Venezuela. showing, in the
judgment of the minister, the anmus of
the charges. One of these occurrences was
in the presence of President Crespo of
Venezuela. 1T had been arranged said
the minister, that I should pursue the
usual course of officially presenting the ad
the president entered unexpectedly Ad-
miral Meade advanced to him, shook his
hand and began speaking to him in Span
ish. The president was noticeably surpris-
official presentation. At the first opportun-
ity I stepped forward and thereupon for
mal1y introduced Admiral Meade to the
president, and the admiral presented his
miral was nettled that his informal greet
ing of the president had not sufficed, al
though it was contrary to the honor due a
president, and contrary to express ar
rangement."
His Call on the Admiral.
Mr.. Haselton also speaks of his trip from
Caracas to La Guayara on the train bear
ing the admiral, at which time the ad
miral did not call upon the minister, as is
said to be due from an admiral to the rep
resentative of the United States govern
ment When La Guayra was reached, Mr..
Haselton says, Sunday prevented his call
ing Immediately on the admiral on his flag
ship, the New York, 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. Haselton says Admiral Meade de-
manded, peremptorily: why did you not
call yesterday" The minister. says he
avoided controversy by saying he pre-
ferred not to call on Sunday, knowing the
fleet would remain until Monday night.
He says the courtesy shown him on the
flagship 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