The Washington herald., 1908-03-29

The paganda TO create public opin-
ION favorable to giving President Roose-
velt practically free hand in dealing
with the obdurate Venezuelan govern
ment will begin next week. when the
President will send to the Senate the cor
respondence and documents relating to
the United States claims against Vene-
zuela.
These will show that Venezuela will de-
cline to accept a proposal from the gov
eminent that the claims be arbitrated
separately. and that the government be-
lieves 1t has exhausted the resources Of
diplomacy.
Coincident with the receipt Of the cor
respondence, a joint resolution will be of
fered to grant to the President authority
10 place an additional duty on all vene-
zuelan imports, and in his discretion to
close any or all ports of the United States
10 Venezuelan products.
In addition. the President will be au-
thorized 10 take such other steps as he
may deem necessary to compel Venezuela
20 agree upon the adjustment Of the
American claims through arbitration
This resolution has been prepared with
the knowledge and upon the advice Of
the administration.
Would Have Come Before.
The correspondence would have been
transmitted to the Senate before this. but
as one of the purposes Of the administra-
ton is to have It given the widest pub
licity at a time when there will be no
other national question of paramount i'm
portance occupying the attention of the
country. it was withheld until the Senate
had concluded its considerations OF the
finance bill.
All the correspondence and documen-
tary evidence relating TO the asphalt case
and other American claims against Vene-
zuela were sent 10 the White House by
the State Department yesterday. Il will
be transmitted 20 the Senate by President
Roosevelt, but whether Il will be accom-
panied by a special message urging ae-
tion against Venezuela is not known.
Every effort will be made by admins
tration Senators 10 attract attention to
the refusal OF President Castro 10 arbi-
trate the pending issues. II is hoped by
the administration that through this
means the people OF the country will be-
come interested enough TO demand that
Castro be treated vigorously.
Should public sentiment take an op-
posite trend, or fail 70 be aroused one
way or the other, the resolution giving
extraordinary powers of coercion to the
President may not be passed.
Russell 10 Come Here.
William L. Russell. United States Min
lister at Caracas. the Venezuelan capital.
IS coming to Washington to advise the ad-
ministration personally in regard 10 Pres
ident Castros attitude and the status Of
the pending claims.
Il was explained yesterday at the State
Department that Mr.. Russell had been
granted leave Of absence, but information
was refused as 10 when he would leave
Caracas OF how long he would be ex-
pected TO remain in this country. While
there is no authority for a positive state
ment 20 that effect. everything points to
preparation by this government 70 sus-
pend diplomatic relations with Venezuela
A complication that may have a serious
bearing on the present uncertain rela-
tons between the two governments is in
volved in the fact that three sacks Of
mail for the United States cruiser Ia
coma was tampered with in the post
Office at la Guayra, the port of Cara
cas- This was reported 70 the Navy De-
partment which informed the State De-
partment.
Minister Russell was directed to make
complaint and the result of his repre-
sentations was sent 10 the State Depart
ment by telegraph yesterday. Mr.. Russell
said that the Venezuelan government ad-
mitted that the pouches had been tam
pered with. but that the tampering was
done through inadverteuce. Secretary
Root will take no action in the matter
until a full report Of the case has been
received from Minister Russell.
Served rs Dispatch Boat.
The Tacoma has been serving as a dis
patch boat between La Guayaro and vii
lemstad. Curacao. The cable from 10
Guayra was cut during the blockade OF
Venezuelan ports by British. German, and
Italian war ships. in 1903. and has never
been repaired
Minister Russell. until the arrival Of
the Tacoma. would send his kilograms
fer the State Department to Curacao by
the Venezuelan post or special messenger.
The Tacoma arrived at Curacao yester-
day with kilograms to the State Depart
ment from Minister Russell