The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-12
All the Trouble Caused by the
Visit of Admiral Meade
to Caracas.
SAYS SENECA WAS DRUNK.
1t Is Also Alleged That the Secretary
Of the Legation Does All
the Work.

HaZleton, United States Minister to Vene-
zuela, who is in Washington ostensibly on
leave of absence from his post, will not re-
turn to Venezuela. While Admiral Meade
was at La Guayra with his squadron this
spring he had occasion to communicate
with the United States legation at Caracas.
The President is said to have acted imme-
diately and this accounts for the Minister'S
sudden departure from Venezuela for
Washington.
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 bust
ness 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 five years.
Mr. Hazleton arrived 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
rotary Gresham, but owing to the latter's
sickness the conferences have been with
Assistant Secretary Uhl. The Minister
has asked for copy of the charges made
by Admiral Meade, but the department
has not felt at liberty to give them.
When seen by reporter of the Associ-
ated Press, Mr.. Hazleton said: ~ wish to
be entirely frank on this subject l under
stood Admiral Meade had made report
containing serious charges against me, but
/ have not seen the report. 1t is doubtless
due to the admiral's feeling concerning
events which happened during his recent
visit to Venezuela. All did not go as
smoothly as possible and the admiral was
much displeased with certain features of
his visit.
Before leaving La Guayra he stated he
would report that was drunk at the re-
ception rendered him. This and other
things may explain the animus of the
charge. When the admiral was about to
come to Caracas / received telephone
message announcing that he would arrive
at o'clock the next day. With my secre-
tary, Mr.. Bartlett, / at once made list of
prominent officials to be called on and to
be invited to the reception to the admiral.
When went about from 4 to 10 P. NJ. deliv-
ering invitations.
again we we're busy with the work until
P. NJ. the next day, so when the admiral
arrived at 2 o'clock l was almost ex-
hausted. Mr.. Crespo had designated 3
o'clock for calling on him. We accom-
panied the admiral on his call on the
President. Then we proceeded to visit
members of the Cabinet.
"After several of these calls had been
made Admiral Meade grew impatient. He
said it was improper for an admiral to be
driving about making calls on the Cabinet.
We had already made several calls, so I
said to Admiral Meade it would be a
serious reflection on whom he failed to
call after having seen their colleagues.
81 reminded him that would have to re-
main in Venezuela after he left, and that /
did not wish such an embarrassment to
occur. He consented to proceed. Then
we were delayed about thirty seconds at the
door of the Cabinet officers. This also ir-
ritated the admiral, and he resented what
he regarded as an undignifed proceeding.
He consented, however, to go through
with the calls after giving free expression
to his criticism and disapproval He de-
clared that it was an unusual course for
an admiral to be making calls on the
Cabinet. l had relied on the five years.
experience of Mr.. Bartlemann, my secre-
! tary, who said it was local custom.
Another irritation occurred as to call
| ing on the foreign Ministers. 1t had been
arranged that we should call on the Minis
tiers of Italy, Spain, Germany and other
countries represented and invite them to
the reception of the admiral later. Mr..
Bartlemann gave this as the custom, but
| Admiral Meade positively declined to call
on the foreign Ministers. AS result they
were not seen ana none of them attended
the reception given to the American Min.
lister.
"These things had tendency to anger
the admiral, as l have said, and he threat
ened at La Guayra to make report re-
flecting on me. As matter of fact / did
everything / could to have his visit agree.
able and duly honored. Contrary to re-
ports the Venezuelan Government was not
greatly impressed with the visit of Ad.
miral Meade. He had expected the Cabi-
net to turn out to meet him. Two car
riages were placed at his disposal, but
this was not sufficient for his party and
added other carriages at my own ex.
pense."
| Mr.. Hazleton was asked as to the report
| that his secretary mad done the work OF
the legation for the last year.
| 81 have been in constant attendance al
the legation" said he, "being absent only
once for four days, and then Mr.. Bartle-
mann accompanied me. / wished to make
his work as agreeable as possible, and as
his compensation was meager $500 a
year, while mine is $500, asked him to
my house, where he was free from all ex-
pense, the only requirement being that he
| kept general track of affairs"
After giving these and further details
Mr.. Hazleton was asked the direct ques-
ton: Have you resigned?"
81 have not as yet" said he.
"Has the department asked for your
resignation?'
Il am not at liberty to discuss that sub
ject,'' said he.
Mr.. Hazleton was informed that from
other sources it had been learned thar his
resignation had been called for. He
answered that it amounted to about that
At the Venezuelan legation much sur
prise was expressed at the news of the
trouble over Minister Hazelton. No word
| had come from Venezuela as to the I'M
pleasantness on the occasion of Admiral
Meade's visit and the legation here has
L. L.