New-York tribune., 1908-07-10
CASTRO RECALLS VEL0Z
ALL REL4TIONS SEVERED.
Venesuelan Charge IN Washington
Ordered to Quit His Post.

Washington July 9.-The diplomatic relations
between America and Venezuela that have ex-
listed uninterruptedly for more than half a cen
tury though in recent years Icverely strained
were completely severed to-day At $50 O'CLOCK
this afternoon Sefior Veoz Goiticoa, the Venez-
uelan Charge d'Affaires called at the state De-
partment by appointment to present to Acting
Secretary Bacon notice from his government
that he was tc quit his post here, close the
Venezuelan Legation in Washington and return
forthwith to Venezuela
The charge executed his commission punctil-
iously. In five minutes he explained to the Act
ing Secretary that the action of the State De
partment in Withdrawing Jacob Sleeper, the
American Charge from Caracas and closing the
legation there made it necessary for his govern
ment take similar action in the case OF It's
own legation in Washington Therefore, he
would leave the capital at the earliest moment
he could arrange his domestic affairs, which VIII
be tomorrow, and will proceed to New york
and take passage for Venezuela on saturday
The charge will leave his family and household
effects in Washington. but these VIII prooaply
follow him to Venezuela in the near future
Just what took place between Acting Secretary
Bacon and the charge is not known. beyond the
fact that the latter presented his letters OF re-
call. He made no demand for his passports nor
could he do so consistently, in view OF the 1acl
that the Venezuelan Foreign Minister Senor
Paul had declined to issue passports TO the
American Charge when he withdrew from car
acas On the ground that there was no Necessity
for them, the country being at peace ana HIS
person not being threatened in any way. Senor
Neloz did communicate to Mr.. Bacon the laCl
that the files and papers of his legation Woulo
he nlaced in the custody of Senor Febres, the
Venezuelan consul general at New YORK lhlS
statement is regarded as an indication that the
Venezuelan government will follow the preceoelil
established by the United States in refraihils
from interfering with trade by closing the CON
sulates notwithstanding the breach IN olpio-
matte relations. No arrangement mas peei i
for the transaction of any diplomatic pusihe'9
which Venezuela might find 1T absolutely neces-
sar,, 70 conduct through some unforeseen con-
tingency.
After taking leave of Acting Secretary Bacon
and accepting the suggestion that he communi-
cate the instructions of his government III VIII
ing to Secretary Root Sefor Veoz paid hasty
calls on Assistant Secretaries Adee and wilson
and other officials of the State Department.
whom he has long and intimately known vi
course officially, there nothing Tor thefn
to say beyond mere formalities when mace
acquainted with the fact that the venezuelan
Charge had been Withdrawn But personally
they expressed regret. for Sehor Neloz is highly
regarded in diplomatic circles 1noeeu, II HidS
be stated positively that his personality has
gone far toward -deferring the rupture which
came to-day.
Mr. Bacon said the personality of Senor We
log had nothing TO do with the severance OF
Diplomatic relations between the two countries
He was sorry TO Senior Veloz go. as their
relations had been friendly. He did not think
anv one else could have done better, as the
dealings with Venezuela had been carried on
through Minister Russell and the representa-
tives of The Venezuelan government at Caracas
Sefor VeIoz submitted written memoran-
dunn but made his communication with the de-
partment orally.
II is said by officials who have followed the
developments in the Venezuelan situation close
lv that there is not the slightest danger of war
in the immediate future or, indeed, at all
The withdrawal of Sehor Veloz follows that
of Minister Russell from Caracas about two
months ago and of Mr.. Sleeper the secretary
of legation and Lieutenant Ruggles, the mill
tary attache about two weeks ago. The reason
for the withdrawal of the American Legation at
Caracas was the persistent refusal of Venezuela
+o give redress for the action by which all
American interests in Venezuela were destroyed
or confscsted or to submit the claims of Amer
lean citizens to arbitration.