Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-20
WARSHIPS NEAR
CASTRO'S COAST
FRANCE SHARES HER SECRETS
WITH AMERICA
VenezueIans' Attitude towards Anneri.
can Minister Is Also Becoming
Frield and Uncle Sans Ships
May Hurry South, Too
BY Associated Press

BY Associated Press
WASHINGTON. Jan. 10. 49, Three
French warships are now off the
Venezuelan coast preparing to deliver
the answer of France to President Cas-
tros treatment of NJ. Taigny, the
French representative at Caracas, by
naval demonstration in Venezuelan
waters. Two additional warships will
join them as soon as they can make
the trip across the Atlantic.
Until the demonstration has been
initiated the French government will
share with the president and Secretary
Root the knowledge of the exact form
which this expression of her dispeasure
at President Castro's action will take.
Meantime the delicacy of the situa-
ton at Caracas is greatly increased by
news which has recently reached here
from Caracas regarding the attitude
President Castro now appears to be
assuming toward Mr.. Russell, the
Amberican minister. Unless this atti-
tude is radically modified it may be
necessary to dispatch an American
warship even nearer the Venezuelan
coast than has already been planned.
Uncle Sam on His Dignity
President Castro, it is said. will be
given to understand that any treat
ment of an American representative
such as that accorded to NJ Taigny
will not be tolerated.
The only cause which can be ascribed
here for Mr.. Castor's attitude toward
Mr.. Russell is that the former insists
upon regarding as personal rather than
official the efforts which Mr.. Russell has
made to assist in a peaceful settlement
Of the Franco-Venezuefan troubles.
The request of the French government
that it's interests in Venezuela be looked
after by Mr.. Russell was granted I'M
medately for the reason that such a
request is invariably granted by a
friendly power, however difficult the
task.
frances Simple Program
France has adopted simple program
for her treatment of the Venezuelan
situation. 1t provides for an imme-
diate and comprehensive apology by
Castro for his treatment of Nj. Taigny,
which treatment the Paris officials re-
gard as insulting and intolerable. Until
this apology is made discussion of the
claims and other grievances which
France has against Venezuela will be
withheld. The French government re-
CARDS the action of President Castro's
agents at La Guayra in refusing to per-
1lllL NJ. ld1S1lN 10 return ashore dlleT lie
had boarded u French liner as an act
OF war. France demands that her rep
resentatiVe shall receive the same
treatment at Caracas as is given the
Venezuelan representative at Paris.
Warships Are Near
Up to a late hour tonight the French
embassy was without advices from
Caracas or Paris, but information re-
garding the movements of the French
warships is momentarily expected.
In continuance of the policy rigidly
adhered to M. Jusserand, the French
ambassador, had a long conference with
Secretary Root today. M. Jusserand
gave to the secretary a detailed ac-
count of the latest treatment to which
M. Taigny was subjected, which was
substantially the same dis the account
given by M. Taigny to the Associated
Press several days ago.
1t now appears that three important
dispatches containing Instructions for
M. Taigny never reached him and the
supposition is that they were intercepted
by the Venezuelan government. This
is regarded as very serious phase of
the situation and will be thoroughly in
vestigatad by Mr.. Russell.
1t can be announced that a French
demonstration in Venezuelan waters
under the circumstances would be re-
ceived here with complaicence.