The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-21
FH,NCE'S WARNING TO CASTRO
NO INTERFERENCE WITH THE
FRENCH CABLE COMPANY.

ures n the Cable COmpany's Property
Il COnnScated or It's One Cable Cut.
WASHINGTON. March 2O.-The situate n
confronting Venezuela over President Cas-
tros endeavor to secure the revocation
of the French Cable C1mpany's concss-
sion has reached the beginning Of the acute
stage through the action OF the French
Government in ordering two warships TO
H. Guayra, the nearest port to Caracas,
10 back up It's Minister'S protest against
any radical move against the cable com
pany. News Of the position assumed
by France was received by the State
Department from Herbert W. Bowen, the
American Minister at the Venezuelan capital
While the details Of Mr. Bowens despatch
have not been made public. enough Of its
contents Is known TO justify the statement
that the French Government apparently
intends TO resort to extreme measures
II tho cable oompany's property is con-
fscated or Castro carries out his alleged
threat TO cut its wires
In his communication 70 the Venezuelan
Government, according to the advices from
Mr.. Bowen, the French Minister said that
there must be no further move toward in
reference with the cable company's in
terests The French communication IA
therefore in the nature of an ultimatum,
and a nation which delivers an ultimatum
Of that character must be prepared to assert
itself vigorously II necessity requires. The
fact that two French warships have been or
dered to La Guayra lends additional signif-
canoe to the action Of France. These vessels
are the cruisers Jurien de la Crawl re and
49, - oh Ia, ha larihhaar,
Sea and may be expected to reach La Guayra
within day or two.
II Castro il, relying on assistance from
the United StstsS to get him out of any
trouble which would follow drastic action
on his part against the French concern,
he Is laboring under misapprehension as
10 the Governments attitude. The incident
has not assumed phase far enough adj
vance to cause the State Department TO
make any formal declaration of intention,
but the privately expressed views Of officials
are sufficient TO justify the announcement
that as long as there Is no violation Of the
principles Of the Monroe Doctrine the Wash
ington Government will hold itself aloof
from the affair. lts position is now exactly
"a il was when President Roosevelt defined
the Monroe Doctrine in his annual message
cent TO Congress on Dec. g. 1901. In that
message the President said
The Monroe Doctrine is a declaration
that there must be no territorial aggrandize-
ment by any non-Ameucan Power at the
expense Of any American Power on Ameri-
can soil. II is in no wise intended as hostile
TO any nation In the Old World. We do not
guarantee any State against punishment
n 1t nisconducts itself provided that pun
ishunent does not take the form OF the aoqui-
sition Of territory by any nOn-Amerioan
PoweT.'
When Germany contemplated blockadhg
Venezuelan ports to enforce the payment Of
claims Of Venezuela's German creditors,
she informed the United States Of her de-
sres. In response 10 that communication
Secretary Hay wrote a memorandum in
which he quoted the phrases from the Presi-
dents message Of Dec. 3, 1901, in regard to
the Monroe Doctrine, but refrained from
further definition Of this Governments
position. In fact, il was said by Mr.. Hay
that the President did not regard himself
"as called upon TO enter into the consdera-
ton Of the claims in question Germany,
however, as did Italy and England, subse-
ouently declared that she had no intention
Of securing any Venezuelan territory by
acquisition or permanent occupation.
No such assurance has come from France,
bun there is no significance in this, for the
reason that the French-Venezuelan dispute
las not reached the stage where any an
nouncement Of policy by the Government at
Paris need be made. The incident il still
& subject for diplomatic consideration, and
trance would hardly commit herself until
eGc had found that diplomacy was una avail
ing 10 prevent injury TO the cable COM
pany- interests. At the same time It
should be borne in mind that any hostile
move by Castro such as cutting the cable
Company's wires. will he made, II at all,
n "A few days.
II is the opinion here that before taking
forCible measures the French Government
would sever diplomatic relations with
Venezuela by Withdrawing its Minister at
Caracas 10 one Of the warships placed at
his disposal. The time necessary TO accom-
Tlsh this would afford opportunity for
France 10 inform the United States Of how
far it intended to proceed against Vene-
zuela. But it is not commended here that
France is under any obligation moral,
political or otherwise, to notify this Gov
eminent in sd yaace OF its policy toward
Venezuela.
From what was said to-day in influential
quarters it is inferred that, beyond keeping
a close watch on the situation 20 guard
against any possible violation Of the Monroe
Doctrine, the Washington Administration
VIII keep strictly aloof from Castro's row
with France unless asked by both parties
70 act as mediator IL is apparent also
that the Administration has no sympathy
with Castro whose attitude toward the
United States has greatly irTitated those
officials who have 20 do with the conduct
Of the Governments foreign relations.
DR.. jose De j. Paul, the special diplo-
matte envoy from Venezuela, and Carlos
y Figueredo, tho Yenezu Ian Consul Gen
cral in New York, came to Washington
from New York this evening. D. Paul
said that he was back in Washington 10
watch developments and that Se'or
figueredo was here merely on a visit
Seior Figueredo scored Minister Bowen,
"a ing that the despatch from the American
representative with regard 10 the French
cable matter was misleading. inasmuch
as it gave the impression that Castro's
action Of last week was something new,
whereas the suit was really begun in No