Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-24
AIM OF GOVERNMENT
USING GOOD OFFICES TO PREVENT
A RUPTURE.

1t developed today that the United
states government is using its good Of
fees to prevent an open rupture between
the French and Venezuelan governments
as result Of the recent disa greement be-
tween President Castro and M. Taigny, the
French charge daffaires at Caracas. over
the French cable affair That has been
the subject Of several conferences lately
between Secretary Root, M. Jusserand. the
French ambassador, and Senior Veloz-Got-
ticoa, the Venezuelan charge.
AZ understood here. the diplomatic rela-
lions between France and Venezuela have
been strained almost to the point of rup-
ture because of the refusal of President
Castro to have any further dealings with
NJ. Taigny, temporarily In charge of the
French legation at Caracas. on the ground
that M. Taigny had made himself persona
non grata by reason Of his alleged disrespect
TO the President Of Venezuela. The French
government refused to make any change
in its legation and insisted that President
Castro should apologize for his alleged dis
courteous treatment of M. Taigny.
President Castro disclaimed any inten-
tional disrespect to the French government,
but declined to change his attitude toward
M. Taigny. 1t Is understood here that he
made 1t clear that his objections to M.
Taisny were purely personal and IN no no
represented during the absence Of the reg
ular French minister.
Naval Demonstration Ordered.
Having failed to obtain satisfaction from
President Castro in this matter through
the usual diplomatic methods, the French
government has ordered a squadron of
warships into Venezuelan waters to demon
strate the sincerity Of its contentious and
it's purpose of enforcing them If necessary.
A recent dispatch from Paris said that the
visit Of the fleet would be deferred few
weeks, however, in order to permit Presi-
dent Castro to further consider the Sttua
ton.
1t has been explained that the French
warshfps were ordered to Venezuela not to
/ lombard the ports nor to seize territory,
but mainly to impress the authorities that
the French government was serious in Its
demand for the full recognition Of NJ.
Taigny its diplomatic representative. AS
is well known the entire revenues of Vene-
zuela have been pledged to Germany. Eng
land and other European creditor nations.
That fact will undoubtedly prevent any
attempt at the collection Of an indemnity
by means Of blockade, and the seizure
of territory for that purpose would, 1t Is
said. be plain violation Of the Monroe
doctrine. .. =.
Offer Of Mediation.
It is because of these considerations ana
complications that the United States gov
eminent has undertaken to bring the two
parties together with a view to an honor
able and satisfactory settlement Of their
differences AS a means to that end Sec
rotary Root has instructed Mr.. Russell. the
United States minister to Caracas. to see
President Castro as soon as possible and
endeavor to secure an amicabe solution or
the pending controversy. Pending the re-
suit of his efforts Secretary Root and his
assistants at the State Department decline
to discuss the matter for publication.
Mr.. Russell is considered an excellent
man for the mission. He had served the
United States in Venezuela for many years
and Is a personal friend of President Cas-
tro and many of the high officials.
The French Announcement. ,
At the French embassy, when Informed
of the effort Of the American minister at
Caracas to arrange an agreement between
France and Venezuela, the following au-.
thoritative statement was made:
1--WE are extremely happy to hear OF the
very kind Intervention of the United States,
and we are sure that under the circum-
stances France would have been glad to
render the same service to the United
States. And the news Of the Intervention
seems to us all the better because it will,
without any doubt enable President Castro
to realize the error made by his minister
Of foreign affairs. and probably will have
the result that France shall not have to
take recourse to such methods, as she
should dislike very much to use, but for
which. in case of need, all preparations
have been made.
Senior Veloz, the Venezuelan charge DAFT
flares to this country, had not yet been of
ficially informed about the statement, and
therefore declined to make any statement.
He said his visit to the State Department
had no reference to that subject.