New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-20
SHIPS FRANCES REPLY
TWO MORE TO BE SENT.
Castro's Attitude TozCard Mr.. Rus
sell AddS to Danger in Situation


Washington Jan 1s.-Three French warshlps
off the Venezuelan coast prepared 70
deliver the reply of France to President Castro-a
treatment of VI. Taigny. the French represents-
tive at Caracas. by a naval demonstration -
Venezuelan waters Two additional warshiT-
will join them soon as they can make the
trip across the Atlantic. Until the demonstra-
ton has begun the French government will
share only with the President and Secretary
Root the knowledge of the exact form which this
expression OF her displeasure at President
Castro's action will take.
Meantime the delicacy Of the situation at
Caracas is greatly increased by news which has
recently reached here from the Venezuelan cap
ital regarding the attitude President Castro now
appears to be assuming toward Mr.. Russell. the
American Minister. Unless this attitude is rad
ically modified It may be necessary to dispatch
an American warship even nearer the venez-
uelan coast than has already been planned.
President Castro Will be made to understand
that any treatment of an American representa-
tive such that accorded to NJ Tsigny viii not
be tolerated by the Washington government.
The only cause which can be assigned here for
President Castro's GOODNESS toward Mr.. Russell
is that the former insists regarding per-
sonal rather than as official the efforts which
Mr.. Russell. acting under instructions from
Washington, has made to assist g peaceful set
tlement OF the co-Venezuelan troubles. The
request OF the French government thst Its In
terests in Venezuela be looked after oy Mr.. Rus
sell was Immediately granted, such request
| is invariably granted by a friendly pcwer how
| ever difficult the task.
France has adopted simple programme for
her treatment of the Venezuelan situation.
1t provides for demand and Immediate and
comprehensive apology by President Castro for
] ia to<N NJ parfs
cials regard as Insulting" and '1ntolerable-"
Until this apology is made discussion OF the
| claims and other grievances which France has
! against Venezuela will be withheld. The French
| government regards the action OF President
| Castros agents in La Guayra. in refusing to
| permit NJ. Tafgny to return ashore after he had
| boarded French liner. act Of war. France
demands that her representative shall receive
the same treatment at Caracas as is given the
| Venezuelan representative at Paris
Up to a late hour tonight the French embassy
| was without any advices from Caracas or Paris.
but information regarding the whereabouts OF
the French warships and their itinerary is mo-
/ mentarily expected.
In continuance of the policy rfgidly adhered
to, NJ. Jusserand, the French Ambassador. who
has kept the Washington government informed
! at every stage OF the course to be pursued by
France in regard to Venezuela had long con-
ference with Secretary Root this afternoon On
| leaving the department the Ambassador dis
missed his carriage and accompanied the Sec
retary as far as the Embassy in Mr.. Roots
| automobile the Secretary then continuing his
| ride.
At this conference NJ Jusserand gave to the
Secretary detailed account Of the latest treat
| pnent to which NJ. Taigny subjected. which
| WAS substantially the same that given by NJ
! Tafgnv to The Associated Press correspondent
| at WiIlernstadt several days ago. 1t now ap-
| pears that three important dispatches contain
| ing instructions for NJ Taigny never reached
| him and It is supposed that they were inter
| cepted by the Venezuelan government This Is
regarded as an exceedingly serious phase OF the
| situation and will be thoroughly investigated
| by MI Russell. Care also will be taken to in
| sure the delivery without interceptton or all dis
| patches to Mr.. Russell.
! One dispatch sent to Mr. Russell last Sun
| day had not been delivered to him up to the
| time the last dispatch sent by him TO the
| State Department. This IS being inquired into
| by the department. The latest information re-
| ceived from Mr. Russell came in dispatch sent
Yesterday and the facts It contained were COM
| rnunicated to the French Ambassador this after
/ noon.
PLANS NOT KNOWN.
| Whether the French squadron will content tt
| self for the present with a peaceful blockade er
| will 60 to the extent Of seiBing custom house
| is not known. Should the latter step be taken
It ia probable that neutral power will be asked
to receive all customs dues collected so that the
mowers having claims against Venezuela which
are now undergoing settlement may not be made
anxious by the French demonstration.
It can be announced that q French demon
stration in Venezuelan waters in the ctrcun1-
.o,oas 1rJu hs Viewed here with cornplacence.
--~1 xnOTTyTJ mo r117r