New-York tribune., 1908-07-06
WHY SLEEPER LEFT
POST In VENEZUELA
FILL TEXT OF HIS LETTER
4ND REPLY.
DR. Paul Declined Request for Pro
lection for american Charge
R4fnires.
d4faires.

,irne the full texts OF the dlplonauc iotes lde
,assed between DR.. Jose de Jesus Paul, Minister
~ Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, and JACOB
c,Asner. American charge daffaires. at the time
os The latter's recent recall and the closing OF
rhe Caracas Legation, which indicates not
-,arelr an interruption of diplomatic relations
na-Ueen the two countries, but break appar-
s,tIv more complete than at first generally
believed There have been various conjectures
a. 10 the reason for the action taken by the
Tinted States. which now set at rest by the
comics Of the Official communications reproduced
later.
NJ Sleeper, in charge of the legation in the
absence of Minister Russell, acting under in
etructions of the State Department at Washing
ton in definite. unequivocal language informed
Minister Paul that the United States withdrew
him and closed the legation because Of Ven
e-nela's persistent refusal to give redress for
The governmental action by which all American
interests have been destroyed OF conhscated-'
MR. SLEEPER's REASONS.
Mr.. SIeepers letter follows:
Acting under instructions from my govern
rnent it devolves upon me to inform your e1
aliercv that in view of the persistent refusal OF
The present government of Venezuela to give re,
5ress for the governmental action by Whlch an
American interests in this country nave been oe-
stroved or confscated. or TO submit the ciallhS
of American citizens for such redress to aro1tra-
-ion and in view of the tone and character OF
The communications received from the NeIieI-
,1eis1 government the government of the United
states is forced to the conclusion that the 1uF-
+ber presence in Caracas of diplomatic represen-
ta+ives of the United States subserves no use
full purpose and has determined to close It's lega-
-ior in this capital and place its interests. prop
e-tv and archives in Venezuela in the haros OF
she conservatives Of Brazil. which country has
kindly consented TO take charge thereof
Pursuant 10 the aforesaid instructions; shaIl
intr,st the archives and property of the legation
n the care of Luiz de Lorena Ferreirs and shall
rroceed 10 Puerto Cabello and embark on the
United States steamship Marietta which should
arrive at the said port at any moment / there
fore respectfully apply for my passports and re-
ouesr that be given safe conduct TO my port or
departure and until embarkation on the Mari
eta.
The reply of Minister Paul TO the note OF MI
Sleeper is Of the same disrespectful tone which
the Venezuelan Foreign Office has assumed in
rerlying 10 other communications of the Ameri-
can government. DR. Paul states that Presi-
dent Roosevelt persists in asking redress for
American interests and individuals without any
Justice and right" and that if in line with its
duty Venezuela does not permit the nation TO
be "wrested" and impaired 'it is not blam-
able" As 10 Mr.. Sleepers request for safe con-
duct the Foreign Minister says that no con-
dtion Of war exists the government did not
consider it necessary or fit to grant it. Dr.
PauIs note follows:
DR.. PACLS REPLY.
If the grounds which your honor set forth in
your note Of this same date are that President
Roosevelt persists in asking for redress for
American interests individuals, and that
without any justice and right; if that. persist
elce goes far TO pretend that matters
which al the request Of the very government of
the United States were already settled by
tribunal Of arbitrators in which said govern
rent vas duly represented, should be again
submitted 10 arbitration which pretension is
tantamount 10 contradicting itself and protest
ing against its own acts; and if finally the tone
eho character OF our clear and precise arguments
have not pleased President Roosevelt, the gov
eminent Of Venezuela is by no means blamable
i, being forced to comply with its duty it does
not permit the rights of the nation, which is
free, sovereign and independent, to be wrested
and impaired That attitude be, indeed. a
motive for congratulations for governments that
really are friendly to that Of Venezuela, because
the rights and prerogatiVeS Of the whole CONT
nen1 are entailed therein.
Resting on these very respectable considera-
tons. the government Of Venezuela, in note of
February % Of the present year (No 267), stated
70 the american Minister in reply TO his note OF
the 22d Of the same month that as his govern
lnent had rot presented any arguments TO make
It's opinion prevail. and that there
OCCASION 10 exercise any diplomatic action. the
government Of Venezuela would see with satls-
faction that President Roosevelt should desist
rom his purpose in order that the American
claimants should apply 10 the courts OF the re-
public with the submission they to its laws
10 defend the rights which they considered TO
nave been prejUdiced. since those laws TO which
-ol % be violated by allowing tnat lesal pro
ceedlng 10 be substituted per saltuhn by diplo-
matte action. All Of that is TO lamented for the
euperabunoanty stated reasons.
IL belongs to-day 10 the people of both coun-
tles 10 Judge the events under the light of rea
son and impartial justice, and under the
soF1ce of their mutual interests and conven-
'enee and later to the sovereign bodies, the rep
IeSehtatlres Of the one and of the other people
70 which il is assigned in each country to take
oognizanoe Of and recite the case in the last
sort As il is. your honor's government. that
Ias spontaneously put end TO your diplo-
'hsIc duties 10 this country and that NeneZ
ueia has motive for complaint respecting
your honors person. the latter will keep your
honor in the enjoyment of your diplomatic i'm
lhulues and prerogatives until your enlbarka
uoh IN Puerto Cabeio on the Marietta. AS well
. lot the stated reason that il is not the gov
eminent Of Venezuela that dismsses your honor
-ii the tact tlat our present situation with
regard TO the United States is not of war,
n which last case the sending Of a safe conduct
l1e agent who crosses the territory is indeed
proper, my government does not consider IL nee
sssafy or flt to send il to your honor for your
pdlring 10 Puerto Cabello. passing as you will
teSs through civilized towns which know how
stesPect those pTerogatiVes and immunities. 1t
= opportUne IN This occasion 10 remind your
i.ohor Of the fact that important members of the
- ileah Legation and tourists who have come
- ms country with scientific purposes and rec
oInenoed 10 said legation have travelled over
g lafge portion Of the territory of the republic
eApressng their satisfaction to all the a1Ithorf-
re OF The passage for the regards. facilities and
~ 1eo1Tl'y Of which they were the objects. and it
rp0h Your arrival in the United States should
spTise Your government thereof the Amer
b an people should know fer the sake of truth
-. dioSe foreigners who become worthy of
.eefn 10 their loyal and correct conduct
''hSldereo and treated IN Venezuela
1f- Sleeper is now his way TO this country
a Cuba. having disembarked there from the
teua He VII. arrive here Tomorrow. Not
;, ,hstanoing the concise statement of the
ued states government in severing diplomatic
Ichs with the Castro government Veloz
c"a remains at Washington as the Ven