The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-03-21
FRENCH SHIPS OFF
FOR VENEZUELA
Effort to Make Castro Come to
Time.
MAY lombard La GUERRA
CONSENT OF UNITED STATES
HAS NOT BEEN ASKED.

Washington. March 2O.-The French
cable complications have reached a
crisis and Minister Bowen has informed
, the state department that the French
munster at Caracas, by instructions OF
ms government has notified the Vene-
zuelan government that there must be
no further proceedings on its part to-
ward the cancellation Of the cOrnpany'S
franchise or interference with its prop
erty. Further, Mr.. Bowen reports that
two French warships have been ordered
post haste to Venezuela to act in ac-
cord With the instructions Of the French
minister. These are the Jurien De La
sravierre and the Duplex, now in the
Caribbean sea-
May Employ Force.
1t is the expectation here that the
appearance of these ships at Laguay7ara
will cause President Castro to accede
promptly TO the demands of the French
minister, failing which the minister
probably will place the legation in the
care OF some other minister at Caracas
and go aboard one of the warships,
thus severing diplomatic relations be-
tween France and Venezuela. The pres
ent situation cannot continue more than
n few days. according to the official
opinion here. There may be some fur
Their exchanges relative to the affairs
of the cable company through third
being brought to bear on President Cas-
1rO by other diplomats at Caracas is
suggested. II the Venezuelan govern
ment seizes the cable office near La
Guerra, il is fully expected that the
French warships will make a demon
EtratiOn, attempt TO take a force to re-
cover possession Of the property ana,
If resisted. open fire on the defenselesS
works recently constructed to command
khe harbor at La Guerra.
Dutch Also Have Grievance.
The Dutch government has lodged a
very serious complaint with President
Castro against the treatment of its cit
II liens, and it may join with France in
coercive measures The French gov
ernment has not asked the consent or
the United States to its proceedings
against Castro, nor does II feel called
upon to do so. But with a perfect
Il knowledge OF the policy of the United
the correspondence between the state
state department and HOlleben, the
German ambassador here. in con-
Dection with the German naval
Z demonstration at Laguayara, in the
3 winter of 1902. the French govern
L ment is proceeding on the the
DRY that there will be no intervention
OF this government This assumption
IS correct, providing there is no inten-
1ion on the part of the French of seiz-
ing with a view TO its retention any
Venezuelan territory.
Story Denied in Paris.
Inquiry at the ministry. of marine to-
. night failed TO elicit notification OF the
II report cabled here from the United
@ States to the effect that French war
* ships have been ordered to Venezuela
on the contrary, no movements OF that
character have yet been ordered More
/ over there has been no meeting of the
~ ca binet since Friday. when il was de-
a cfdcd not to take definite action until
the Venezuelan courts have rendered q
final decision. The foreign office SAID
peCificslly that the stage Of the send