New-York tribune., 1908-08-26
DE REUS AT TIE HAGUE
Venezuelan Note LeaUes Little Hope
of Peaceful Solution.


Netherlands to Venezuela arrived here at o'clock
this evening. He went at once to the Foreisn
Office to report concerning the difficulty between
his government and President Castro.
The Netherlands government received to-day an
unofficial copy of the second note sent to 1t by
Jose de Jesus Paul the Foreign Minister of Venez-
uela. The Cabinet Eel1 long session this morning
to consider this note the tenor of which does not
give the Netherlands government much encourage
ment to persevere in attempts reach peaceful
settlement.
The note. after referring to the communication
Of July % relative delivery of his passports to
Minister de Reus. because he was considered IN
competent to serve medium for maintaining
the existing friendly relations between the two
countries said that the action of Venezuela was
entirely personal against NJ. de Reus, and did not
contemplate loosenfng of the ties of friendship
between the Netherlands and Venezuela, which
Venezuela desired cordially to maintain The gov
ernment of Venezuela was convinced that when the
Netherlands learned of the proceedings of NJ. de
Reus. Holland would give voluntary satisfaction
to Venezuela.
Senor Paul added that since this time.
ever, other incidents had occurred which impaired
q graver significance the actions of NJ. de Reus
These incidents, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister
thought he ought bring to the cognizance of the
Netherlands Foreign Office in order that the good
relations between the two countries based
mutual good will and esteem might continue.
The note then mentioned the arrival and de-
parture of the Netherlands cruiser Gelderland at
and from Puerto CabelIo and La Guayra without
firing salute, the refusal of the
cruisers commander to allow the port command
ant to board Nevertheless. the govern
ment did not hinder the embaI kation of NJ de Reus
July 26. Neither the arrival of the Gederland
the object of her &C ming announced to the
Venezuelan authorities. should have been done.
and the port commandant would have been justi-
fed in forbdding all communication with the
shore and the embarkation of NJ de Reus. Desir-
Gus. however of showing their good will. the
itfeo ahStai iped int nd
aided NJ de Reus to get board the cruiser, thus
recognizing up to the last moment his diplomatic
rights.
The note complains that even the Dutch consuls
Puerto Cabeo and La Guayra. who went along
side the Gelderand, were greeted each by a salute
Of seven guns. This empna sized the omission to
salute Venezuelan ports duly and properly forti-
fed omission which constituted not only an in
fraction of International custom. but was an inn
polite act, especially in view Of the exceptional
circumstances which had brought the Geiderland
to Venezuela.
sehor Paul made a long statement regarding the
shameful attack the residence of Sehor
Lopez the Venezuelan Consul at CURACAO, by the
populace who were egged on by a faction which
for time has been permitted by the CURACAO
authorities wage q hostile propaganda against
Venezuela and against its government The MIN
lister recalled how the lives of the consul and the
members Of his family were endangered. The To-
cal authorities powerless to protect the rep
resentative Of friendly nation. and after oelns
finally was saved by men from an American YES
sci in the harbor.
The note complained that although the Wiilem-
police troops prevented the murder OF the
consul no energetic steps were taken TO assure
the future security of this official who, consequent
ly decided to place the consulate In charge OF MS
German colleague and embark for venezuela on
an American vessel Even after this the hosule
demonstration continued, and there were cries OF
Death to the consult Down with Venezuelans!
Death TO Castro!'
The Foreign Minister closed his letter by SAYING
that the gravity of the incidents cited would snow
the government of Netherlands the attitude OF
the colony of CURACAO toward the government oi
Venezuela and explain how the hitherto frehdly
relations between the two countries had oeen AZ
fected thereby. He says:
In consequence of NJ de Reus's offence against
the government of this republic, the neglect OF the
cruiser Gederland to salute the venezuelan nag,
and the attack upon the Venezuelan Consui at
Curacao and the members of his family ana llle
dissertation of the escutcheon over the cons uIaIs
at Curacao the Venezuelan government 1nds ltSelI
obliged to declare to the government OF your E-A
cellency that long as the satisfaction que anu
the reparation for the offences ana grievances re-
ferred to In this have not been gwen II can
not maintain friendly relations between the Two
countries. a. ,,, 30
vour ExceIlency new assurances of my highest ana
most particular consideration. j. DE j. PAUL.