Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-04-02
Negotiations between That Coun-
try and United States at
Critical Stage.
CORRESPONDENCE PUBLIC
Sec. Root to Meet senate Committee
To-day to Discuss tho ATnir-Pro-
posed TO Cut on Trade with
Venezuela until That Coup-
Try Comes to Terms.

Washington, March 31-The long ex-
pected correspondence between Ameri-
ca and Venezuela respecting pending
American claims against the latter
country was submitted to the Senate
to- day and is almost certain to create
a profound IMPRESSION. II will be diff
ficult to digest the vast mass of ma
teral which Secretary Root has placed
before Congress, but even a cursory
inspection 81 the documents makes It
evident that the negotiations have
reached n critical phase. The Prcsi
dents realization Of that fact is shown
by his transmission of the matter 20
the senate without any comment. re-
gardinE the correspondence. and
pecially Secretary Roots strong pro-
sentation Of the American case. suf-
ncient 10 instantly enlist the attention
OF Congress
All Of the correspondence and docu-
m,ents We're referred to the senate COM
mittee on foreign relations. Secretary
Root will appear before tho committee
to- morrow. ostensibly to discuss some
Of the treaties negotiated at Tho
Hague, but T. IS expected he will take
some action
THREE PROPOSITIONS
Those members of the conmittee
who have already familiariZcd them
selves with tho situation have arrangd
tentatively program. which consists
| of three propositions. as follows
Place n prohibtive tariff on Nenez-
uelan coffee. the exports of which con-
stitute A. per ant of tho entire Ven
ezuelan foreign trade.> and ninety per
cent. Of the coffee Is taken by the Uni
ted States .,
Exclude all iilportations' Of asphalt
from Lake Bernulez the product OF
which has beer taken almost entirely by
the United states.
Authorize the President to exercise
| the general power invested in him Ia
take whatever stops he may consider
necessary to treat with Venezuela In
! the future.
THE CORRESPONDENCE
The most interesting features of tho
correspondence are those in which Score
tarv Root figured Various unsuccessful
attempts already had been made by pre-
ceding administrations to effect a settle
ment Of the American claims.
A letter to Minister Russell from Secrc-
tary Root on February Is, 1907 concluded
with this statement:
You are Instructed to bring these sew
eral causes OF complaint to the imme-
| date and serious attention OF the
Venezuelan government and to insist
that the government 10 which you are ac-
credited shall give 70 each and every
demand herein SGT forth immediate con-
sheraton"
In issuing general instructions to tho
American minister Secretary Root said
You will cali the attention ~ the
government OF Venezuela 20 the fact that
the government Of Venezuela has within
the past few years practically con-
! fscated or destroyed all the substantial
property interests OF Americans In that
country"
In treating the various claims Mr.
| Root comments upon the expulsion from
Venezuelan territory OF A. +. Jaurett on
Saturday November l.. 1904. after the
closing hours of business. Mr. Root after
discussing the right OF n foreign
government TO expel a citizen concludes:
ct Is not too much to insist that the
person to be expelled be given an OPP
portunty to explain the misconduct
whereof ne is accused. and arrange his
business affairs. In no case should the
expulsion be decreed and executed afte,
closing hours on SATURDAY. unless tho
presence of the undesirable resident IS
So dangerous to tho community az tC
threaten serious consequences to tho
state by the mere delay over sunday
GIVEN LITTLE ATTENTION.
The claims We're presented to Vene-
zuela by Mr.. Russell and received scan'
consideration. Mr.. Root addressed an
other letter to Mr.. Russell dated June
81, 1907, calling attention to the de-
mands for an adjustment OF the contro-
versics by international arbitration made
In February. Regarding Venezuela 5
failure to take coznizance OF the Ameri-
can note Mr., Root comments as follows
THE curt and contemputous way II
which It Ignores or dismsses the seri
Gus and respectful representations of Tho
United states produces n painful i'm
preston of Indifference and disrespect'
on February IS, 1908, Secretary Roo
despatched a cablegram to Minister Rus
sell. instructng him to ascertain 'wheth
er the refusal OF Venezuela to accept gu
proposal of arbitration Is designed Il
apply to eacn ana every one OF the ny
claims. and II she is ready to arbtrat
any of these claims which ones she 4
willing to arbftrate."
The reply OF Minister Russell to thi
cablegram is the final paper In the CORE
spondence relating to the su, Ject.
I Mr.. Russells cablegram. ,ated Febru
5 airy q, 1903. says that Venezuela refrain
from considering for the present 'he ques
ton of aro'tration, Mr.. Russeldl quote
tho Venezuelan answer to the Unite
0 States as follows:
3 "As the cases referred to cannot
considered ms being comprised anon
those which call for diplomatic actor
. the government of Venezuela would vie,
1. 4, with satisfaction il the government G
the United States would consider thi