Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-03-18
FRANCE AND VENEZUELA.

France has officially informed the
United States Of the action of the Vene-
zueIan government against the French
Cable Company, which she regards as
high handed and unwarrantei. While
insisting that diplomatic means will be
exhausted in the effort to relieve the
situation, it is declared that President
Castro is rapidly exhausting French
patience, and thereby forcing France
toward the limit Of diplomacy.
France has invited the attention OF
the American government to the Vene-
zuelau situation because of Its interests
in Pan-American affairs, and in order
thatit may ascertain the probable course
of action which this government will
take against Venezuela. 1t is the wish
of the French government to act along
parallel lines as far as practicable.
These developments in the Venezuelan
situation are regarded as the preliminary
step toward the relief of a situation In
Caracas which Europe, as we'll as the
United States, has for sometime regard
ed with dissatisfaction. Early yesterday
NJ Jusserand, the Fiench ambassador,
sent his first secretary, NJ. des Pcrtes de
Ia Fosse. to the State Department to
inform the officials there OF the suit OF
the Venezuelan government against the
French Cable Company, aud OF the
concern which this action has caused the
French government.
NJ. des Portes gave to Mr.. Adee, the
acting Secretary OF State, the substance
of the cablegram from Paris, and asked
him about the probable line OF action
which this government contemplated IN
connection with the asphalt case, which
also is in President Cast-o's court. 1t
was impossible for Mr.. Adee to commit
the government on this point until the
Venezuelan courts have acted, but he
thanked the secretary for advising this
government in the matter, and promised
him information as soon as the govern
ment was prepared to make an an
uouncement. As soon as the French
secretary left Mr.. Adee called at the
War Department, where he had a long
conference with Secretary Taft, who, in
the absence of Secretary Hay, the acting
Secretary of State is consulting in all
matters of importance.
1t is probable that upon the Presi-
dents return from New York Mr.. JUS
serand, the French ambassador, will
outline to him the position in which
the French government finds itself as
result of President Castro's latest action
and discuss generally with the Presi-
dent the entire situation, about
which France is keenly annoyed. 1t
is pointed out that il is the wish of the
French government 10 settle as quietly
as possible its differences with Venezuela.
and, in case French utimatum is fol
lowed by no relief in the situation,
France will have well-nigh reached the
limit of diplomacy.
In view of the unfayorable conditions
in Venezuela at this moment the French
armored cruiser Duplex and the pro-
tected cruiser Julien de Grayjerre, OF 70
knots speed, which are nos in the Carib-
bean. will be retained in that vicinity
indefinitely.
Although the greater part Of the North
Atlantic feet is soon 10 come north as
far as Pensacola for target practice, an
adequate contingent will remain In
Dominican waters to guard American
interests there, and in case OF an emer-
gency in Venezuela the feet at Pensa-
cola will be in easy cruising distance.
1t is possible that the French cruisers
may touch at Pensacola during the stay
there of the American feet to obtain
supplies or merely to pay friendly