Mr. Loomis to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Caracas, November 7,
1899.
No. 342.]Sir: I have the honor to report that on the
26th of October the diplomatic corps met at this legation to discuss the
arrival and assumption of executive power by General Castro, and to
formulate an answer to the note from his minister of foreign affairs
announcing the change in Government, a translated copy of which is
inclosed.
[Page 807]
After a free interchange of views it was decided to send a “note
verbale,” unsigned and written in the third person. All of the ministers
agreed to conform to the model herein inclosed.
Two other meetings of the diplomatic corps have been held, but they were
quite informal in their nature.
The members of the diplomatic corps were notified of the blockade of
Puerto Cabello by means of two copies of a printed proclamation
containing the decree of General Castro. These printed circulars were
inclosed in a foreign office envelope and sent to each legation, no
receipt being taken for them, and they were not accompanied by a written
communication of any sort. The same circular was thrown about the
streets of the city. It was thought that this method of announcing the
blockade to the diplomatic corps was not quite courteous or regular, and
the contention was made at a meeting of the corps that the least the
Castro Government should have done was to send copies of the Official
Gazette containing the decree to each foreign minister at Caracas.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Palacio to
Mr. Loomis.
[Translation.]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
United States of
Venezuela,
Caracas, October 24,
1899.
Your Excellency: In accord with popular
sentiment from one end of the Republic to the other, the Government
established in February, 1898, has ceased to exist, and since
yesterday Gen. Cipriano Castro, director and chief of the
revolution, has been in charge of the executive power.
General Castro is well aware of the fact that one of the first duties
of every civilized power is to preserve and strengthen the bonds of
friendship with friendly nations. The new Government will take
especial pleasure in maintaining the cordial relations which exist
between Venezuela and the United States, and will do all in its
power to work for the mutual good of the two nations.
General Castro having honored me with the portfolio of foreign
affairs, it will give me extreme satisfaction to enter upon official
relations with your excellency, and I therefore inclose for your
legation two copies of the Official Gazette, containing an account
of the transfer of the Government to the chief of the revolution,
and also two copies of the same Gazette containing the first
official decree of the new administration.
I am extremely pleased to offer to your excellency the homage of my
distinguished consideration.
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Loomis to
Mr. Palacio.
The envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United
States of America has had the honor to receive the note that His
Excellency Dr. R. Andueza Palacio was good enough to address him on
the 24th instant, inclosing the numbers of the Official Gazette
which announce the transfer of the executive power.
He will avail himself of the first opportunity of forwarding these
for the consideration of his Government, which will doubtless send
him instructions on the subject as soon as possible.
