The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-06-24
Withdrawal of Legation Means
Rupture Between Venezuela
and United States
Uncle Sam Joins France and
Colombia in Severing All
Relations
Holland Expected to Follow in
Cutting Acquaintance
of Blnffer
Peppery President Boasts That
He Does Not Fear Europe
Nor America

CARACAS, June 22-The
members of the American lega-
ton are awaiting the arrival OF
the United States gunboat Mari
eta at Porto Cabello, the warship
having been ordered there for the
purpose of transferring them to
the United States. Jacob Sleeper.
who has been acting as charge
d'affairs since the departure OF
the American minister, w. w. Russell.
and Lieutenant Francis A Ruggles.
the military attache, withdrew from
the delegation at Caracas on Saturday
and proceeded TO Porto CabellO. The
interests of the United States were
placed in charge of the Brazilian le-
cation, as the representatives of the
European nations are having eonsid-
cradle friction with President Cas-
consular agent. John Brewer, re-
mans here in charge OF the archives
President Castro returned here sud-
denly few days ago after long
absence in the interior, and his ar
rival attracted much attention. All
kinds OF rumors are current. and the
withdrawal of the representatives OF
the United States is not quite. under
stood by Venezuelans. 1t is probable.
too. there will be an early rupture
with Holland, and there are reports
that a revolution against the admin
istration is being organized in Co
lombo. AS matters now stand the
United States, France and Colombia
practically have no relations with
Venezuela. Great Britain and Hol-
land have serious questions pending
with the government. Germany alone
has no dispute
The Constitutional. President Castro's
organ. in an editorial today. says;
'The United States. in closing a SEN
sational diplomatic process in such an
unexpected way, cannot weaken tho
spirit of brotherhood and the high con
sideration OF Venezuelan people toward
the United States. The Venezuelan
government and the president have the
satisfaction of possessing justice and
law in the attitude in which they have
maintained and the indisputable adEe-
sion of the people"
ASKS FOR PASSPORTS
Before MS WllnOTdWdl from the le8d-
tion Mr. Sleeper sent a note TO the gov
ernment asking for passports. This
note was answered in very considerats
language, and the American charge was
informed that passports were unneces-
sary inasmuch as he personally was
persona grata and that diplomatic i'm
munity would continue until he was on
board the Marietta, there being no
question OF war involved. The cOmmu-
nication to MIR. Sleeper extended to him
the cordial wishes of the administration
for happy voyage.
The recent diplomatic friction be-
tween Venezuela and Holland over the
closing of Venezuelan ports to Dutch
vessels and President Castros decree
prohibiting the transshipment OF cargo
in the island of Curacao. reached a
crisis several days ago, when the presi-
dent vigorously answered a note sent
to him by the Dutch minister. j. ri. de
Reus protesting against this decree
and criticizing the Venezuelan consul at
WiIIemstad. President Castro refused
TO modify the orders which he had is