The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-01-18
Castro Uses Force on tho
 French Consul
DEPARTS FROM MARTINIQUE
Mir. Russell Does All He Can to Heal the Rupture, But Castro Refuses to Budge-Cable Offl-
 cers Leave.


 dies January 17.-France on January 10 broke off diplomatic relations with Vene- zuea through the American minister at Caracas, MT. Russell, who at present Is in charge of French interests.
 M. Taigny, the retiring French charge d affaires. who left La Guayra January 15, on the French steamer Martinique for Curacao, via Porto Cabello, Venezuela, arrived here today. M. Taigny was not permitted to land at Porto Cabello. He Is waiting for French cruiser to con vey him to Martinique.
 The chiefs of the French cable offices az Caracas and La Guayra, Nm. Jaccoux and Bourget, have been expelled from Venezuela and are expected here by the first steamer.
 Cable communication with Venezuela continues interrupted.
 The following details were given to the Associated Press by M. Taigny:
 Taianey Makes Statement.
 'Knowing that the captain of the Mar unique had important dispatches for him and being without advices for five days owing to closing of the cable. M. Taigny went to La Guayra Saturday last ac- companied by the French vice counsel He was accustomed to board the French steamer without permit. which on this occasion he was not allowed to do Think ing it his duty under the circumstances he decided to go aboard the Martinique without permission.
 "On Sunday the vice consul and the cable director accompanied M. Taigny to the wharf, but did not go on board the Martinique with him. The Venezuelans, however 1t was noticed went on board the vessel and returned without being in any way hlndred.
 While conversing with the captain of the Martinique. a policeman ordered M. Taigny to leave the vessel, but he refus- ed to do so. While brealSfasting an or der came to the captain of the vessel to put out twenty meters from the shore, which was done. and nobody was allow ed to leave the ship.
 Force Used to Prevent Him.
 "M. Taigny asked permission of the customs officer to go ashore with him, but this request was denied and when he insisted force was used to prevent him.
 "At o'clock M. Talgny was officially notified that if he went ashore he would be imprisoned.
 Sunday evening passed with Vene- zuelan guard watching for any move ment M. Taigny might make.
 Meanwhile the French vice consul went to Caracas and informed MT. Russell of the condition of affairs. Mir. Russell though ill at once took up the matter and used every influence with President Castro, but without avail. The vice consul brought to M. Taigny a letter from Mir Russell to that effect. M. Taigny then sent protest to MT. Russell and to the dean of the diplomatic corps
 Day Lost In Waiting
 "At II o'clock the French steamer agent with the authority of President Castro, informed M. Taigny that a French naval vessel would take him off at o'clock in the morning. No such vessel came. however, and one day was lost in waiting. "The Martinique left for Porto Cabello and M. Taigny forbidden all com munication with the shore. He then re- quested the captain of the Martinique to touch at Willemstad which was not on his schedule. and to leave him there.
 M. Taigny expressed to the Associated Press his great qualification for the kind assistance rendered him by MT. Russell and other Americans"