Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-01-18
EXTREMELY UNPLEASANT STU
ALTON DEVELOPS.
MAY PUNISH VENEZUELA
France Inclined to Adopt Primitive
Measures to Secure Satisfaction
from the Hiah-horsed President OF
the South American Republic
Washington Peace Efforts Failed.

Washington, Jan. 15.-Although the
present breach in diplomatic relations
between France and Venezuela is
technically chargeable against the
personality of NJ. Taigny, the French
charge at Caracas, the real issue, as
it is understood here, is the attack by
President Castro upon the properties
and franchise of the French Cable
company. The president asserted that
the cable company had lent active as
sistance to the Matos rebellion, There
fore he began proceedings in the
Venezuelan courts against the com
pany on that score and also COM
lplained that the company had Violated
the terms of its concession In not
laying certain coast lines of cable,
and especially in crossing the island
of Santo Domingo with land wires
subject to frequent interruption in
times of rebellion ON that island. The
courts sustained the presidents view
and in fact practically took posses
sion of the company's offices at GER
tain points, when the French govern
ment interviewed. In the absence of
the regular minister, Taigny present
ed a protest to Venezuela. Castro re-
garded this note as insulting to his
government and refused to have any
thing TO do with Taigny. But the
French governments refused to allow
the dispute to be rusde a personal one
and declared that Uaigny in his pre-
sentiment had followed precisely the
instructions of his Soreign votice.
At this point MIR. Russell, Amer
lean minister at Caracas, interviewed
in the interest of peace and after
many patient exchanges it was be
lieved that he haG finally succeeded.
But while he induced Castro to with
draw the note refusing to do business
with Taigny, which the French gov
eminent regarded as offensive, he
could not pcteHail upon Castro to re-
sumo official relations with the French
charge. The climax came new years
day when the French government,
supposing a satisfactory settlement
had been Reached, reoeivad with the
usual hoBGcs of the new years day
reception the Venezuelan minister at
Paris, only to learn that Castro had
refused to taD likewise for Taigny at
Caracas This omission tmHched the
pride OF the French government,
which felt that it had been made the
victim of double dealing and deceit,
which fact tire French ambassador in
Washington @Rs not slow to commu'
nicate to the state department. Mr..
Russell reported his failure to effect
a settlement, thereby making himself
unpopular III Glaracas and then came
notice from the French government
that diplomatic relations with Nene-
2uela were completely seVereE There
is him of punitive measures, on the
part OF France and tic situation is
regarded officially as very nnpd easant
with possibilities of serious toonse-
tluences.
consirierat Broteen Off.
Paris, Jan. 15.-Though NJ. Maui
hnourgget, Venezuelan charge daftaires,
has not yet reoeirad his passports dip
ItQmatic relations between France and
Venezuela are considered to dave
been broken off. There lis mo queG ton
for the present OF naval .demonStra
tiQn, but there is no doubt that the
French government intends to have
the fullest recognition OF ami respect
for it's rights. An official note issued
last night says that although an uit,-
matum has not yet been sent ID Vene-
zuela, France cannot tolerate much
longer Castro's refusal to acaede to the
French demands without considering
the s,iyisability Of taking stronger
meah1 to enforce them