Minister Russell to the Secretary of State.
Caracas, October 20, 1905.
(Mr. Russell acknowledges Mr. Root’s cable of the 18th, and reports a conference with the minister of foreign affairs that morning. Mr. Russell inquires if Mr. Root can tell him in detail what the desire of the United States Government is in the matter of Bermudez Company case? What would be half way for it and what does he consider half way for Venezuela? Would the United States admit that the Bermudez Company concession has been forfeited, thereby accepting verdict of the Venezuelan courts; and if so, would the Bermudez Company, in negotiating for a new concession, be willing to discuss the question of damages for nonfulfillment (of) contract? Mr. Russell thinks probably something may be done along these lines. The President is out of town, but he expects to have a conference with him in the course of a few days.)