Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-06
BREAK. WITH CASTRO
Text of Correspondence on
the Diplomatic Rupture.
WHY SLEEPER LEFT POST
Venezuela's Refusal of Redress to
American Interests.
PROPERTY WAS C0NF1SCATED
United States Charge d'Affaires' Let
ter to Minister of Foreign Az
fairs-Latter's Defense.
WHY SLEEPER LEFT POST
PROPERTY WAS CoNF1sCATE]

NEW 1ORk. July 6-IHe
prints this morning. for the nrs' iiile
the full text of the diplomatic notes tha'
passed between DR.. Jose de Jesus raui'
minister of foreign affairs of Senezueid'
and Jacob Sleeper. American charge al
flares, at the time Of the latter receh,
recall and the closing of the caracas ie-
CATION, which indicates not merely an III
terruption of diplomatic relations between
the two countries. but a break apparent!
more complete than was at first generais
believed.
Mr.. Sleeper, in charge of the legation
in the absence of Minister Russell; actme
under instructions of the state depart
ment at Washington. in definite, une9uiVo.
cal language informed Minister Paul ina,
the United States WlthdreW mn az.
closed the legation because OF Venezuela
persistent refusal to give redress toi
the governmental action by which al
American interests have been destroyed
or conf1scated."
sleeper's Letter to Paul.
Mr.. Sleeper's letter follows:
Acting under instructions from my
government, it devolves upon me to in
form your excelleHcy that in view Of the
persistent refusal Of the present govern
ment of Venezuela to give redress FOR
the governmental action by which all
American interests in this country have
been destroyed or conf1scated, or to sub
NIT the claims of American citizens for
such redress to arbitration. and IN view
Of the tone and character OF the COM
received from the Venezuelan
government, the government of the United
States is forced to the conclusion that the
further presence in Caracas of diplomatic
of the United States sub
serves no useful purpose. and mas de-
termined to close its legation In this
capital and place its interests, property
and archives in Venezuela in the hands
of the representatives Of Brazil. which
country has kindly consented to take
charge thereof.
Pursuant to the aforesaid instructions,
1 shall intrust the archives and prop
erty of the legation to the care OF I-uiz
de Lorena Ferreira, and shall proceed to
Puerto Cabello and embark on the United
States steamship Marietta, which should
arrive at the said port at any moment.
therefore respectfully apply for my
passports and request that l be given
safe conduct to my port of departure
ana until embarkation on the Marietta.
The reply Of Minister Paul to the note
OF Mr.. Sleeper is of the same disrespectful
tone which the Venezuelan foreign ONCE
munications of the American government
DR.. Paul 8 note follows:
Minister Paul's Reply.
IF the grounds which your honor set
forth in your note of this same date are
that President Roosevelt persists in ask
ing for redress for American interests or
individuals, ard that without any justice
and right; if that persistence goes as far
as to pretend that matters which at the
request Of the very government or the
United States were already settled by a
tribunal Of arbitrator in which said gov
eminent was duly represented. should be
again submitted to arbitration, which pre-
tension 10 tantamount to contradictlng IL
self and protesting against its own acts:
and IL finally the tone and character OF
our clear and precise arguments have not
pleased President Roosevelt. the govern
mont Of Venezuela Is by no means blam-
able il. being forced to comply with its
duty, 1t does not permit the rights OF the
nation. which is free. sovereign and moe
pendent. to be wrested and impaired
That attitude can be, indeed. a motive for
congratulations for governments that
really are friendly to that of Venezuela.
because the rights and prerogatives Of the
whole continent are entailed therein.
Resting on these very respectable con-
siderations, the government Of Venezuela.
in q note of February - of the present
year mo. 26O, stated to the American
minister in reply to his note of the 22d
Oh the same uOutu tudt as Ills government
had not presented any arguments to make
its opinion prevail. and that as there was
no occasion to exercise any diplomatic
action, the government of Venezuela
would see with satisfaction that President
Roosevelt should desist from his purpose
in order that the American claimants
should apply to the courts Of the republic
with the submission they owe to its laws
to defend the rights which they considered
to have been prejudiced. since those laws,
to which every foreigner In the country is
submitted. are rot to be violated by al
lowing that legal proceeding to be sub
stituted per saltum by diplomatic action.
All of that is to be lamented for the SUI
perabundantly stated reasons.
Paul Talks of Justice.
ut belongs today to the people Of both
countries to judge the events under the
light Of reason and impartial justice, and
even under the advice Of their mutual in