The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-09-22
FRANCE IS ANGRY.
Much Indignation Has Been
Aroused Against Venezuela.
Because of Her Treatment Of
Charge at Caracas.
WON'T TALK TO HIM.
Situation Is Aggravated by Re-
cent Order for Guns
And Closing of Stations Of the
Cable Company.
WON'T TALK TO HIM.

Paris, Sept. 22.-The offensive atti-
tude of Venezuela toward NJ. Taigny,
the French charge d'affaires at Cara
cas-, has aroused indignation in official
quarters here. Although the ministry
has taken no definite action, it is said
in the highest quarters that PrennieE
Rouvier undoubtedly will demand that
Venezuela disavow the offensive actiors
and adopt a course conformabIe with
the usual courtesies of diplomatic in
tercourse. The Venezuela authorities
are now seeking to show that their ac-
uOn was directed against M. TaiRny
personally and not against the French
government, but the officials here do
not accept the distinction between N.
Taigny's personal and official capacity.
He has high standing at the foreign
office where he recently served. He
also aided Ambassador Cambon at
Washington during the most delicata
phases of the Spanish negotiations.
Therefore there is no intention here to
permtS Venezuela to make a scapegoat
of him.
The official directly charged with
handling Venezuela questions explain-
ed the general status of the contro-
versy as follows: Venezuela supports
the closing of the French cable COM
pany's inland stations on the ground
of the decision of the Venezuel2
courts France does not question the
general right of the courts but mains
tanned that the decision of the courts
contained nothing authorizing the ex-
ecutive branch to seize and shut up.
the cable stations.
Moreover, only day before shutting
up the inland stations Venezuela gave
assurance that General VfIutini. the
Venezl1la minister at Paris, would take
steps to satisfactorily adjust the aues-
ton. Therefore M. Taigny protested on
the ground that the courts decision did
not justify closing stations. This pro-
test was not NJ. Taignyss personally but
followed specific instructions from the
foreign office. Therefore, it is impossi-
BILE to raise personal issue. A separate
verbal protest was made against the
expulsion of Manager Bruin of the
French Gable company on the ground
not enIy apply to NJ. Bruin who ssas
permanently in the country. It is to be
expected that demand will be made that
Venezuela disavowed the act. The sub
sequent course of France viii depend
upon Venezue1a's reply.
Inquiry makes it perfectly certain
that Venezuela has placed orders at
the Cruezot works for eight field bait
teries and four mountain batteries, the
latter consisting of four guns each.
Tt was announced from Caracas, Sep-
teTnber 20, that the Venezuela govern
rnent had that day made the following
reply to the protest lodged September
10. M. Taigny, the French charge DAFT
faires against the closing of the land
stations of the French Cable company
and the expulsion of the manager of the
company, NJ. Bruin: 1.-THE government
holds documents proving that the
French Cable company has accepted the
result of the judicial proceedings
brought against it. The government is
waiting to establish new relations be-
tween it and the company. M. Taigny,
the French charge daffaires knows this
and therefore the protest can be only
considered an act of personal hostil-
ity. For this reason the government
will abstain from treating with the
French government through M.Taigny.'s
The semi-official Temps this even-
ing printed a leading article rejecting e
official sentiment on the subject. It
said that NJ. Taigny had been ordered
to insist on Venezuela withdrawing
| her offensive refusal to deal with him.
| If the withdrawal is made and Presi-
dent Castro makes an apology, them
negotiations will continue. If Ven-
wise to Immediately break off rela-
tions by the withdrawal of NJ.
| Taigny, since this would leave French
| interests unprotected. The best
course would be for France and the
United States to make. a joint naval
demonstration similar to that in which
Great Britain, Germany and Italy
took part.
Continuing, the paper says: Gals
ready to our knowledge the cabinets
of Washington and Paris have ex-
amined certain questions. Mutual
4 confidence will render easier an un-
/ derstanding for efficacious joint inter-
vention This intervention, in which
] firmness will not exclude moderation
4 and prudence, appears today to be
/ essential.