The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-21
A CRISIS W
 NOW HAcHFD France PS Sdy to War
 With Venezuela. ITS PATIENCE EXHAUSTED Dutch Government May Join
 in Movement. Complications Concerning Cable Are in Exceedingly Acute Stage and se-
 Fious Results Seem Not
 Improbable.

Washington, March 20.--The French cable complications have reached a crisis and Minister Bowen has in- formed the State Department that the French Minister at Caracas by instruc- tions of his government. has notified the Venezuelan government that there must be no further proceedings on its part towards the cancellation of the company's franchise or interference with its property.
 Furthermore Minister Bowen reports that two French warships have been ordered post hate to Venezuela to act in accordance with the French Minis ter. These are the Julian DeGravierre and the Duplex. now in the Caribbean Sea.
 It Is the expectation here that the appearance of these ships at LaGuaira will cause President Castro to accede promptly to the demands of the French Minister, falling which the Minister probably will place the legation in the care of some other Minister at Cara cas and go aboard one of the warships
 
 | tween France and Venezuela. The present situation cannot con- tinue more than a few days. according l to the official opinion here. If the Venezuelan government seizes the ca- ble office near LaGuaira, 1t Is fully ex- pected the French warships will make a demonstration, attempt to land force to obtain possession of the prop | erty and. if resisted. open fire on the defensive works recently constructed | to command the harbor and roadstead at LaGuaira.
 Dutch Sfay Join. s The Dutch government has lodged a very serious complaint with President Castro against the treatment of it's l citizens and 1t may joint with France in coersive matters.
 The French Government has not asked the consent of the United States | to its proceedings against Castro, nor does it feel called upon to do so, but with perfect knowledge of the policy | of the United States in such matters, the French Government is proceeding on the theory that there will be no in- | tervention of this government. This | assumption is correct provided there is no intention of the French seizing | with a view to its retention, any Vene- | Zuelan territory.
 In the case of the last demonstra- | tion MT. Rowan. the American minister | was able to prevent bombardment | and secure the reference of the dispute | to The Hague tribunal, but, as 1t was, Venezuelan commerce suffered some | what from a few weeks blockade Now however Mir. Bowen's relations with President Castro are very different and | evOn if he had the disposition to do so he lacks power to influence President Castro to peaceably settle this trouble. The State Department also Is not dis posed to repeat the history of the first settlement with Venezuela, as the re- suits have been far from satisfactory, l neither the allied powers nor Venezuela being pleased at the outcome. The obligations incurred under the award of The Hague tribunal never have been met. It Is therefore the present inten- tion of the government here not to in terfere with any dispute of a foreign nation with Venezuela, provided the Monroe doctrine is not infringed. This determination does not estOp action on our part in the interests of American concessions and properties in Vene- zuela.
 MT. FfgueredO Talks. | MT. Carlos B. Figueredo. consul gen. eral of Venezuela at New York, arrived here tonight in the company of Dr. Paul. the special diplomatic envoy of l Venezuela to the United States. Dr. Paul will remain here several days to watch developments in the trouble ov- CT the French Cable Company's conces- sion from Venezuela.
 MT. Figueredo said tonight that the | cablegram from Minister Bowen say ing that suit had been instituted at this i tie bmy VenZuela to cancel the cable company's concession and for the seiz- ure of it's property was incorrect as the suit to annual the concession was brought in the Venzuelan courts in 1903.
 The basis of the suit. he said were allegations that the company mad not | given such a cable service as was stip- ulated should be given when the con- cession was granted. The cable line. | 1t was stated by MT. Figueredo, had not been seized and was unmolested He said that his Information was to the effect that all parties were await ing a decision on the appeal in the case which decision should be handed down this week in the usual course of events.
 The consul general said that he was was in the court awaiting action no measures to influence the regular ju- dicial procedure of his country.
 NruH