The morning journal-courier., 1908-07-10
RELATIONS WITH
 VENEZUELA SNAP After Half Century Diplomatic Connections, Strained in Re- cent Years, Are Con-
 pletely Severed.
CASTRO'S LEGATION CLOSED
Trade Will Not Be Interrupted and War Is Not Thought of--Castro Believed to Lack Real
 Facts in Case.

Washington, July s-The diplomatic relations between America and venez- uela that have existed uninterruptedly for more than half century though in recent years have been strained, were completely severed, At half-past three o'clock this afternoon, Senor VeIoz Golticoa, the Venezuelan charge d'affaires called at the state depart ment to present to Acting Secretary Bacon notice from his government that he was to quit his post here close up the Venezuelan legation in Wash ington and repair forthwith to Ven ezlela.
 The charge executed his commission punctil!ously In five minutes talk he explained to the acting secretary that the action of the state department In withdrawing Jacob Sleeper, the Amer lean charge, from Caracas. and in closing up It's legation there, made IL necessary for his government to take similar action in the case of its own legation In Washington. Therefore he was leaving the capitol al the earliest possible moment. He will arrange his domestic affairs tomorrow and will proceed directly there to take passage for Venezuela on Saturday The min istcr leaves behind him in Washington his family and household effects but they will probably follow him to Ven ezuela in tho near future
 Just what took place between Acting Secretary Bacon and tho charge can not he known beyond the fact that the latter presented his letters of recall. He made no demand for his passports nor could he do so consistently in view of the fact that Foreign Minister Paul had declined 10 issue such passports to the American charge when he with drew from Caracas on the ground that there was no necessity for passports, the country being in profound peace and his person not being threatened in any way. Senor veloz did commun- icate with Mir Bacon. the fact that the files and papers of the Venezuelan lo- cation would be placed in the custody of senor Jacobo Plmental, the Ven ezuelan consul general In New York
 This statement is regarded as an in- dicatlon that the Venezuelan govern will follow the precedent established by the United states in refralning from interfering with trade by closing the consulates notwithstanding the breach in diplomatic relations. No arrange ment has been made for the transac- ton of any diplomatic business which Venezuela might find 1t absolutely necessary to transact, through some unforeseen contingency.
 As to the future 1t Is pointed out by officials who have followed closely the developments in the Venezuelan situation that there Is not the slight est danger of war in the immediate future or indeed at all Rather will the situation resemble that following the rupture of diplomatic relations between France and Venezuela for n- stance Legations were closed on both sides and all official relations were terminated while trade between the two countries continued and French
 men came to Venezuela and rich Ven ezuelans made their annual trips to
 Paris AS if nothing had occurred. The history of these episodes in the case of Venezuela Is very much one of
 resentment bred by the rupture grad
 ually becoming less acute and at the
 proper moment a friendly third party
 steps in and brings about restoration
 of amicable relations. It Is even pos 'aible In our own case that the pro
 cess may he more rapid than usual
 for two reasons. In the first place
 there must be some limit to the num-
 Der of powers from which Venezuela can safely separate herself and with
 the termination of her relations with
 America to-day she has added very potent force 10 the opposition.
 In the second place the"e is some ground for the belief that President Castro has been acting in a half light that for some reason he has not beer in possession of all of the facts In the
 case of the controversy with the
 United States or If he has, then he | nus DeeH COIHpleIely TllSl9u HS to tHe ] motives which have impelled Secre. tary Root to request the Venezuelan government to join America in having recourse to arbitration.
 Mr Velose Gotcoas withdrawn follows that of Minister Russell as diplomatic representative of the Unit ed States to Venezuela about two months ago and that of Mr. Sleeper the secretary of legation and Lieuten. ant Ruggles, the military attached about two weeks since. L'he reason for the withdrawal of the American legation at Caracas arose from tht persistent refusal of Venezuela for tho government action which all American
 interests in Venezuela were either des
 troyed or confscated or to subm the claims of American citizens tt arbitration, There were 1ve of thes, claims in all Those of A. I' Jaurett the Orinoco corporation, the Orinoct . Steamship company. the New Yorl