Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1906-01-20
Three French Warships
Arrive off Venezuela
DICTATOR MUST APOLOGIZE
OR FACE GUNS OF FRANCE
Cool Treatment Of Mr., Russell May
Add One Of Uncle Sans
WarshipS to Party.

Washington, Jan. 19-Three French
warshps are now off the Venezuelan
coast preparing to deliver the answer
of France to President Castro's treat
ment of NJ. Taigny, the French repre-
sentative at Caracas, by a naval de-
monstratlon 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 Secre-
tary Root the knowledge of the exact
form which this expression of her dis
pleasure at President Castro's action
will take. Meantime the dellcacy of
the situation at Caracas is greatly in
creased by news which has recently
reached here from the Venezuelan
capitol regarding the attitude Presi-
dent Castro now appears to be assum-
ing toward Mr.. Russell, the Ameri-
can minister Unless this attitude is
radically modified it may be necessary
to dispatch an American warship even
nearer the Venezuelan coast than has
already been planned.
President Castro, it is said, will be
given to understand that any treat
ment of an American representative
such as that accorded M. Taigny will
not be tolerated by the Washington
government.
The only cause which can be assign
ed here for President Castro's coolness
toward Mr.. Russell is that the former
insists upon regarding as personal
rather than official the efforts which
Mr.. Russell, acting under instructions
from Washington has made to assist a
peaceful settlement from the Franco
Venezuelan troubles. The request or
the French government that its inter-
ests in Venezuela be looked after by
Mr.. Russell was Immediately granted
for the reason that such a request is
invariably granted by a friendly pow
err, however difficult the task
French Program Simple
France has adopted a simple pro-
gram for her treatment of the Vene-
zuelan situation
It provides for an immediate ana
comprehensive apology by President
Castro for his treatment of M Taigny,
which treatment the Paris officials re
gard as Gnsulting" and ''intolerable.'
Until this apology is made, discus
sion of the claims and other grlev-
ances which France has against Vene-
zuela will be withheld. The French
government regards the action of
President Castros agents in Laguaira
in refusing to permit NJ Taigny to re-
turn ashore after he had boarded q
French liner, as an act Of war. France
demands that her representative shall
receive the same treatment at Cara
cas- as is given the Venezuelan repre-
sentative at Paris
Dispatches Intercepted.
1t now appears that three import
ant dispatches containing instructions
for M. Taigny never reached him and
the supposition Is that they were in
tercepted by the Venezuelan govern
ment.
This is regarded as a very serious
phase Of the situation. and will be
thoroughly investigated by Mr.. Rus
sell. Care also win be taken TO insure
the delivery without interception Of all
dispatches to Mr.. Russell.
One dispatch sent to Mr. Russell
last Sunday had not been delivered to
him up TO the time the last dispatch
was sent by him to the state depart
ment This is being inquired into by
the department.
The latest information received from
Mr.. Russell came In dispatch sent
yesterday and the facts 1t contained
were communicated to the French
ambassador this afternoon
Whether the French squadron will
content itself for the present with a
peaceful blockade or viii go to the ex-
tent Of seizing custom house Is net
known. Should the latter step be taxi
en- II is probable that neutral power
would be asked to receive all customs
dues collected, that the powers having
claims against Venezuela which arc
now undergoing settlement may not
be made anxious by the French de-
monstration.
IT can be announced that French
demonstration IN Venezuelan whtets
under the circumstances win be view
ed here with comDlaisance.