New-York tribune., 1908-06-24
SLEEPER LEAVES POST
c4STRO'S ACTION CAUSE.
No L. S. Diplomat Noe in Caracas
-Reuolution Rumored.

washington. June 23.-The State Department
,o-5sv received official information of the de-
,s--1,re from Caracas of Jacob Sleeper. secre-
,srx Of the American Legation in Venezuela
mr sjeeper's departure leaves the United States
vithout diplomatic representation in the South
American republic The affairs of the legation
vir he looked after by a representative of the
Rrszficn Legation
For the last three years-since questions be-
.uen the United States and Venezuela first
q, Minister Russell has been unable TO get
snv satisfaction from the Venezuelan govern
-nent While the fact that the United States
has no diplomatic representative in that ooun-
trv nay result in the representative of the
venezuelan government here being withdrawn.
no advioes had been received on this point at
the Venezuelan Legation last night.
The ,>resent situation. in diplomatic terms is
known as state OF expectancy The questions
,r dispute between this country and Venezuela
have been in the hands Of the solicitor OF the
state Department for the last few days, but no
satisfaction has been given to the American
CONSERVATIVES by President Castro. The
plague which exists in nearly all of the Ven
ezuelan ports. may have caused Mr.. Sleeper 10
desire leave of absence at this time.
sec5nd Assistant Secretary of State Adee is
acting in the absence of Mr. Root and Mr.
Bacon the first assistant Mr. Adee has just
returned from Europe, and. it is understood, Is
IN communication with Secretary Root and MI
bacon who have been in touch with the Ven
ezuelsn situation
The real issues between the United States and
Venezuela a-e the outcome principally OF Arnerl-
car claims against that country growing out OF
The cancellation by the government Of that coun-
~ Of various concessions TO American corpora
lions and individuals. notably the asphalt
claims the Critchfield claim, the Orinoco Steam
Navigation Company claim. the Jauret claim
and several others which have been the SUBJECT
Of 2 report TO Congress by the President
o,7~ government has endeavored 10 obtain a
settlement Of these claims by arbitration. but
has met with refusal at every point Recent oe-
1-elopments growing out of the outbreak OF pu-
horic plague in Venezuelan ports ana the olS-
regard by Venezuela of treaty obligations 10 en-
force sanitar regulations calculated 10 pre- eii'
,he spread Of the terrible disease 70 North
America are believed TO have had something 10
dc with the present rupture
:, is also known that the United States gov
e-rn7ent. on account of the part il has taken IN
-he past in protecting Venezuela against the
demands Of European powers. has received rep
resentations from those powers to the ehec'
that. having assumed certain responsibilities To-
ward other civilized nations in thus intervening
Il is now the duty of this government TO cofnPe
Venezuela TO observe international amenities
not only in the matter of safeguarding them
from infection by the plague, but in recognizing
i,,ss clainls. -f se-eign countries
The bility Of the United States to meet
these obligations without resorting 10 certain
COMPULSORY measures which might involve war
IS believed 20 be the true explanation OF the
course Of the state Department in terminating
diplomatic relations with Venezuela The i'm
mediate effect Of this action is TO leave Nenez-
uela now accountable direct TO the various
European powers which feel that they have just
grievances against that country which must be
redressed.
Caracas. June D. via Willemstad, June %
The members Of the American Legation are
awaiting the arrival Of the United States gun
boat Marietta at Porto Cabello, the warship
having been ordered there for the purpose OF
transferring thence TO the United States Jacob
sleeper who has been acting as charge daft
taires since the departure Of the American Min
ister " ". Russell. and Lieutenant Francis
A Ruggles. the military attache, who with
drew from the legation at Caracas on Saturday
and went 10 Porto Cabello. The interests Of
the United States were placed in charge of the
Brazilian Legation as the representatives of the
European nations are having considerable fr1c-
ton With President Castro's government The
American consular agent, John Brewer, remains
. here in charge Of the archives.
President Castro returned here suddenly
few DAYS ago after long absence in the IN
terror, and his arrival attracted much attenuoh
All kinds Of rurnors are current, and the with
drawal OF the representatives Of the Chlteo
States is not quite understood by Venezuelans.
Il is rrobslle too that there will be an early
rupture with Holland, and there are reports
thai 2 revolution against the Venezuelan ad-
rninistration is being organized in Colombia AS
matters stand now. the United States France
and Colombia have practically no relations with
Venezuela: Great Britain and Holland have Sc
rious questions pending with the government,
Germany alone having dispute
The Constitutional" President Castros or
gar, in an editorial to-day says:
The Tinted States. in closing sensational
diplomatic process in such an unexpected way,
cannot weaken the spirit OF brotherhood ana
the high consideration OF the Venezuelan people
toward the United States. The Venezuelan gov
ernment and the President have the satisfaction
Of possessing justice and law in the attitude
which they have maintained and the lnospuC-
abe adhesion of the people
Before his withdrawal from the legation Mr..
Sleeper sent q note TO the government asking
for passports This note was answered in very
cons!-e fe Language. and the American charge
was informed that passports were unnecessary.
inasrnuch as be personally persona srata,
and that diplonatic immunity would continue
until he was on board the Marietta, there being
no question OF war involved. The communica-
ton TO Mr. Sleeper extended 10 him the cordial
wishes of the administration for happy voy-
age
The recent diplomatic friction between Ven
ezuels and Holland over the closing or Ven
ezuean ports to Dutch vessels and PRESIDENT