New-York tribune., 1908-06-24
SLEEPER LEAVES POST
c4STRO,S ACTION CAUSE.
No L. S. Diplomat Noe in Caracas
-ReuoIation Rum0red.


NJ. sieeper's departure leaves the United States
v4thou, diplomatic representation in the South
American republic. The affairs of the legation
u5n bs looked after by a representative of the
BrazHcn Legation
Fer the last three years-since questions be-
ruen the United States and Venezuela first
3. Minister Russell has been unable TO get
any satisfaction from the Venezuelan govern
r7snt While the fact that the United States
has no diplomatic representative in that ooun-
nv nay result in the representative Of the
venezuelan government here being Withdrawn.
70 adyioes had been received on this point at
ire Venezuelan Legation last night
The present situation. in diplomatic terms is
known as state Of expectancy. The questions
IL dispute between this country and Venezuela
nave 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
rsrresentatives by President Castro. The
rlagre which exists in nearly all Of the Ven
ezuelsn ports. may have caused Mr. Sleeper TO
desire leave Of absence at this time
se-5nd Assistant Secretary Of State Adee is
acttne in the absence Of Mr.. Root and Mr..
Bacon the first assistant Mr.. Adee has just
returned from Europe. and. il is understood. Is
in con-~unication with Secretary Root and Nj
Psror who have been in touch with the Ven
ezuelan situation.
The real Issues between the United States and
verezuela a-e the outcome principally Of Ar1erl-
car claims against that country growing out OF
The cancellation by the government Of that cour-
- Of various concessions 70 American corpora
-ions and individuals notably the asphalt
claims the CritchfeId claim, the Orinoco Steam
Navigation Company claim. the Jauret claim
and several others which have been the SUBJECT
o. report 10 Congress by the President.
"a ar6esToTeQ 70 OBTAIN q
settlement of these claims by arbitration. but
ras met with refusal at every point Recent de
zelorments growing out Of the outbreak OF bu-
boric plague in Venezuelan ports and the dis
regard BY Venezuela Of treaty obligations 20 en-
force sanfta-- regulations calculated 10 prevent
-he spread OF the terrible disease TO North
America are believed 10 have had something 70
d with the present rupture
+ Is also known that the United States gov
ernr1er.. on account OF the part il has taken In
the 1ast in protecting Venezuela against the
demands OF European powers, has received rep
rese1tations from those powers to the effect
maj having assumed certain responsibilities to-
za-d other civilized nations in thus Intervening
- Is now the duty Of this government TO compel
Venezuela TO observe international annenltles'
not only il the matter Of safeguarding them
from infection by the plague, but in recognizing
Just clai-lsa-f fe-eisn countries !
Bil-N o. lie IAtHO ClGtSS u AtAcS-
these obligations without resorting to certain
compulsory measures which might involve war
IS believed 70 be the true explanation Of the
course Of The state Department in terminating
diplomatic relations with Venezuela. The i'm
rnediste effect Of this action is TO leave Nenez-
uela now accouutab bic direct TO the various
European powers which feel that they have just
grievances against that country which must De
re6ressed.
Caracas June %. VIA Willemstad, June %
The member 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
fares since the departure OF the American Min
lister " ". Russell. and Lieutenant Francis
: RuggIes the military attache, who with
drew from the legation at Caracas on Saturday
srd vert 70 Porto Cabello. The interests Of
the United States were placed in charge Of the
Brazilian Legation as the representatives OF the
Eu-opeaa nations are having considerable fric-
tor with President Castro's government. The
American consular agent, John Brewer, remains
here in charge Of the archives
President Castro returned here suddenly a
few days ago. after a long absence in the in
terror. ard his arrival attracted much attention
Al kinds Of rurnors are current, and the with
drsu-s1 of the representatives Of the United
States is not quite understood by Nenezuelans
L IS p-ooable too. that there will be an early
rupture with Holland. and there are reports
that z revolution against the Venezuelan ad-
-ainist-a1lon is being organized In Colombia AS
matters stand now the United States, France
and Colombia have practically no relations Wilh
verezuela: Great Britain and Holland have Sc
r1ous Questions pending with the government
-g~---- n
Ths -'Constitucional.' President Castro's or
gan. Il an editorial to-day says:
TIE United States, ii 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 |
ernlent and the President have the satisfaction |
o possessing justice and law IN the a5tiIuoe |
which they have maintained and Fhe 1ndlsput- |
abe adhesion Of the people
Before his withdrawal from the legation Mr.. |
Sleeper sent Z note TO the government asking /
to- passports This note answered in very /
cons Il language and the American charge |
vas Informed that passports were unnecessary, |
tnssmuch as he personally was persona srata- |
and that Diplomatic immunity would continue |
until ne was on board the Marietta, there being |
no question of war involved. The communica- |
ton 10 Mr Sleeper extended 10 him the cordial /
wishes oe the administration for happy voy- |
age
The recent diplomatic friction between Ven |
eZuela ard Holland over the closing Of Ven /
ezuelan ports 70 Dutch vessels and President |
csstro's decree prohibiting the transshipment |
d cargo IN tie island Of Curacao reached a /
crisis several days ago, when the Fresldehl
answered In strong language note sent 10 MN
by the Dutch Minister J. H. de Reus, protesting |