The Secretary of State to Minister Russell.
Washington, October 18, 1905.
(Mr. Root advises Mr Russell that, after full conference with Judge Calhoun, the Department entertains the hope that questions between the United States and Venezuela may be settled without recourse to either of the alternatives contemplated in the dispatch of March 10, 1905. [Printed p. 1027.] This government’s desire for the friendship and kindly feeling of Venezuela is sincere and strong. It has taken so much trouble and devoted so much effort as a friend of Venezuela, [Page 1001] especially under the administrations of President Cleveland and President Roosevelt, that it is very reluctant to yield to the idea that any conditions between us can not be settled through diplomatic channels. Mr. Russell is directed to confer with the Government of Venezuela in this spirit and report whether or not he finds it disposed to resume the consideration of the various matters which have been the subject of discussion in the same spirit in the hope of reaching adjustment consonant with substantial justice and equity without in any way intimating that Venezuela has not been actuated by that spirit in the past. He will ascertain if they will meet this government half way in a friendly and practical effort to reach substantial justice without too much regard to technical questions, and report generally his views upon the practicability of such a course. The desire or the United States that there should not be a recurrence of the same difficulties from which this government helped to extract Venezuela a short time ago, leads this government to entertain a strong hope that the difficulties between Venezuela and France may be amicably adjusted. The French ambassador here, conferring regarding Venezuelan matters, has expressed in behalf of his government most considerate and kindly feelings toward Venezuela, and I am sure that if Venezuela will go half way with them toward an amicable settlement it can be accomplished. Mr. Russell will use his good offices to aid in bringing this about if possible. He is instructed to communicate freely by wire his progress and results.)