The Paducah sun., 1906-01-20
France Has War Vessels On
Hand Near Venezuelan Coast.
Others Are On the Way-Unclc
Sans Minister Also offended
by Castro.
THE OUTCOME STILL IN DOUBT.


Fronch warships are now off the
Venezuelan coast prepared to deliver
the answer of France to President
Castro's treatment of NJ. Taigney,
the French representative at Cara
cas-, by a naval demonstration in
Venezuelan waters. Two additional
warships will join them soon as they
can make the trip across the Allan
tic. Until the demonstration has
ment will share with the president
and Secretary Root all knowledge Of
the exact form which this express
sion of her displeasure at Castro's
action will take. Meantime the deli
cacy of the situation at Caracas Is
greatly increased by news which has
recently reached here from the Ven
ezuelan capital regarding the atti-
tude Castro now appears to be as
suming toward American Minister
Russell.
Unless this attitude is radically
modified IL may be necessary to dis
patch an American warship even
nearer the Venezuelan coast than
has already been planned. President
Castro IL is said, will be given to un-
derstand that any treatment of can
American representative such as that
accorded Taigney will not be toler-
ated by the Washington government"
The only cause which can be assign
ed here for Castro's coolness toward
on regarding as personal, rather
than official, the efforts which Rus
sell. acting under instructions from
Washington has made TO assist
peaceful settlement of the Franco
Venezuelan troubles.
The request of the French govern
ment that its interests in Venezue-
la be looked after by Russell was
Immediately granted for the reason
such a request is invgiably granted
by friendly power, however difficult
the task. France has adopted a sim
pie program for her treatment OF
the Venezuelan situation. It pro-
vides for an immediate and compre-
hensive apology by Castro for his
treatment of Taigncy, which treat
ment Paris officials regard as Gin
sultlng" and ''intolerable." Until
this apology is made a discussion of
the claims and other grievances
which France has against Venezue
la will be withheld. The French
government regards the action of
Castro's agents in Laguayra in re
fusing to permit Taigney to return
ashore after he had boarded French
liner, as an act of war. France de
mands that her representative shall
receive the same treatment at Cara
cas- as is given the Venezuelan repre-
sentative at Paris.
IL seems that dispatches contain
ed instructions for Taigney never
reached him and the supposition is
they were intercepted by the Vene
zuelan government
Care also will be taken to insure
the delivery without interception OF
all dispatches to Russell.
One dispatch sent Russell last Sun
day had not been delivered to him
up to the time the last dispatch was
sent by him to the state department.
Whether the French squadron will
content itself for the present with
a peaceful blockade or will go to the
extent of seizing a custom house is
not known. Should the latter step
be taken il is probable neutral
power would be asked to receive all
customs dues collected that the pow
ers having claims against Venezue-
la, which are now undergoing set
tlement may not be made anxious
by the French demonstration.