Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-20
FRANCE DEMANDS AN APOLOGY
Three wsr,hips of cast Of ofvenssusla and
More Are Coming.
UNITED STATES MAY BECOME lNyoLyt[
DeIicacy of situation Increased by
Hostile Attitude Assumed by
President Castro Toward
Minister Russell.

WASHINGTON, Jan. l9-Three French
warships are now off the Venezuelan coast
prepared to deliver the answer OF France to
President Castros treatment OF NJ Taigney.
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 cx-
preston OF it's displeasure at President Cas-
tres action will take Meantime the deli
cacy of the situation at Caracas is greatly
increased by news which has recently
reached here from the Venezuelan capital
regarding tho attitude President Castro now
appears to be assuming toward Mr.. Rus
sell. the American minister. Unless this at
titude is radically modified it may be neces-
sary to dispatch an American warship even
nearer the Venezuelan coast than has al
ready been planned. President Castro, it is
said, will be given to understand that any
treatment of an American representative
such as that given to NJ. Taigny will not
be tolerated by the Washington govern
ment The only cause which can be as
signed here for President Castro's GOODNESS
toward Mr.. Russell is that the former in
sists upon regarding as personal rather
than official the efforts which Mr.. Russell.
! acting under instructions from Washing
| ton. has made TO assist a peaceful settle
/ ment of the Franco Venezuelan troubles.
: The request of the French government that
its interests in Venezuela be looked after
by Mr. Russell was Immediately granted
for the reason that such a request Is in
variably granted by q friendly power, no
matter how difficult the task.
France Demands Apology.
France has adopted a simple program
for its treatment of the Venezuelan situ-
alton. 1t provides for an immediate and
comprehensive apology by President Castro
for his treatment Of NJ. Taigny, which
treatment the Paris officials regard as
insulting and ''intolerable.' Until this
apology is made discussion Of the claim:
and other grievances which France has
against Venezuela will be withheld. The
French government regards the action o.
President Castros agents in La Guaira II
refusing to permit NJ. Taigny to return
ashore after he had boarded a F'renci
liner as an act of war. France demands
that its representative shall receive til,
same treatment at Caracas as is given tn,
Venezuelan representation at Paris.
Dispatches Are Intercepted.
1t now appears that three important dis
patches containing instructions for NJ
Taigny never reached him and the suppo
stion is that they were Intercepted b!
the Venezuelan government This is re
garded as a serious phase of the situation
and will be thoroughly investigated by Mr.
Russell. Care also win be taken to insur
the delivery without interception of al
dispatches to Mr.. Russell.
One dispatch sent Mr.. Russell last Sun
day had not been delivered to him up L
the time the last dispatch had been sen
to the department. This is being inquire
into by the department. The latest in
formation received from Mr.. Russell cam
in a dispatch sent yesterday and the fact
it contained were communicated to tn
French ambassador this afternoon.
Ambassador Jusserand Of France had
, conference lasting more than an hour thi
afternoon at the State department, wit
Secretary Root. relative to the Venezuela
situation. Both declined to make any state
, ment for publication.
: French Cabinet Considers situation
PARIS, Jan. 19.-The Venezuelan aha
occupied the attention of a special meetin
of the French cabinet today. II is undel
stood in ministerial circles. but the fact ha
not yet been officially given out. that Pr,
mier Rouyier has decided TO demand a
extraordinary credit. This will give ri:
70 debates in the chambers whose asseI
rs necessary for a grant The governmeI
: is fully determined TO act with the creates
firmness, at the same time adopting a DIT,
dent attitude. owing to the unstable cha
acter OF the Venezuelan government whic
may change al any moment.
The authorities at Washington are beir
kept fully acquainted with Frances att
: tude and nothing will be undertaken withol
the absolute cognizsnce OF the Unite
States.