Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-20
FRANCE WILL co SLOW
In Measures Against the Vene-
zueIan Government.
ACTION IS HAMPERE0
Owing to Venezuela's Relations With
Other Countries.
REINFORCING THE SQUADRON
Next Move Will Depend Very Much
on the Result of Conferences
at Washington.

PARIS, January 2O.-The apparent hesi-
tation in Frances decision relative to Ven
ezuela appears to be prompted by the desire
not to begin active measures without first
taking the advice of the authorities at
Washington. For this purpose Ambassador
Jusserand has been fully instructed re-
gardng his governments point of view,
which he is laying before the American
government.
The officials here agree that Frances ac-
tion is somewhat hampered, owing to Ven
ezuela's peculiar situation, the foreign
claims upon the customs being regarded as
placing blockade almost out of the ques-
tion. 1t is feared that If France stopped
commerce with the exterior President Cas-
tro would Immediately seize this as a pre-
text for refusing to comply with Vene-
zuea's obligations toward other nations.
1t Is admitted that preparations are going
on for reinforcing the French SQUADRON.
but the object of this step is still underlined
This much is regarded as certain, Frances
next move Will depend on the result of M
Jusserands conferences at Washington.
Venezuela Is Busy.
NlLDEMSTAD, Island of Curacao, Jam
uary 20.-The Venezuelan government Is ac-
lively engaged in garrisoning the ports OF
lhe republic and in furnishing the troops
with supplies
According to the advices received here,
the general public in Venezuela received
the news of the rupture of diplomatic rela-
tions between Venezuela and France with
i ohe utmost lndiirerence but diplomatic cir
cles at Caracas are indignant at the action
OF the Venezuelan government in not allow
ing NJ Taigny, the retiring French charge
alalres, to return to the shore after he
had gone on board the French line stea noer
Martinique at La Guaira January IA in or
uer 10 OBTAIN his correspondence
The Venezuelan government is consider
ing a project for laying a cable between
La Guaira and Porto Rico.
Two Rumors.
In the absence of any official declaration
on the subject there appears to be a con-
siderable diversity of opinion in regard to
the steps to be taken by the French gov
ernment In bringing President Castro to
p1 p9ok A. lor MS alleged insulting treatment of
VI. Ialgny, the French charge at Caracas
one story Is that France will demand an
immediate and comprehensive apology from
PRESIDENT Castro for his conduct and that
a fleet of warships will make a demon
stration in Venezuelan waters to enfonce
the demand.
Another story Is that in the proba bile
event or PRESIDENT Castros refusal to make
the desired apology the French war feet
Will establish a blockade of Venezuelan
ports, and will do 50 with the concurrence
or Great Britain, Germany and Italy, the
tLAASS eSNciiiGSllS financially interested In
the customs collections of Venezuela as
well as with the full approval of the United
States.
According to one report, France will insti-
tute punitive measures against Venezuela
at once, but that report is hardly consistent
with the reports from Paris that the French
president has decided to demand an extraor-
dinary credit, which Is likely to give rise to
somewhat prolonged debate in the cham
bers, nor with the report that two warships
are about to be dispatched from France TO
reinforce the neet near the Venezuelan
coast Even II the French chamber of dep
utles granted the credit next week 1t would
take still another week for the naval rein
torcements to reach Venezuela. and it is
hardly likely that any decisive blow would
be attempted until the fleet is fully prepared
to make II effective.
There is the usual division of sentiment
as 10 the merits Of the existing crisis be
tween France and Venezuela. One point
made in behalf of President Castro IS that
his treatment of NJ. Taigny was in his IN
olVidual capacity and not as a diploma. tic
representative of France. That contention
Is pased on the theory that diplomatic re-
latlons had been sundered between France
ana Venezuela at least two or three days
before NJ. Taigny boarded the French
steamer at La Guaira In dIsobedienca or
the harbor regulations. and before that
time French interests in Venezuela, at the
request of the French government had
Deen intrusted TO the care of Mr.. Russell
United States minister to Venezuela
NO New Developments.
There were no special developments IN
the matter today beyond the statement
that the United States cruiser Denver on
her way home from Culebra will be detaln-
ed at San Juan awaiting the turn OF events
In venezuela. Although there is no prob
ability that the interests of the United
states In that quarter will be jeopardized
uy any hostile action on the part of France
1t has been deemed advisable TO have a
warship near at hand for any service that
might be required OF her
By q mere coincidence the entire A.1a,.,,
meet, comprising the strongest aggrega-
tion or warships in the United States navy
VIII De engaged In maneuvers in the waters
OF the Caribbean within the next few weeks
and could be readily utilized in case OF
emergency.
1t Is reported from Willemstad, Curacao
that NJ -Taigny. cate French charge d'affaires
az Caracas is under orders to proceed to
washington and report to NJ Jusserand.
Frehch ambassador to the United States
AS he does not wish to enter yenezue-
Ian port 1t Will be necessary to wait for the
Red ID liner sailing about January 25.