American Legation,
Caracas, February 4,
1906.
No. 53.]
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Mr.
Desmartis to Minister Russell.
French Legation,
Caracas, January 24, 1906.
Mr. Minister: I had occasion day before
yesterday, regarding M. Doyeux, and yesterday, in a general way, to
point out to you the measure which the Venezuelan Government had
taken against all the consular agents of France in Venezuela, and
which should, without fail, paralyze French interests in this
country. It is that all direct movement of importation from France
to Venezuela finds itself, indeed, suppressed; also there are the
interests of our Trans-Atlantic Company, which are gravely touched,
as it seems that henceforth its ships can no longer make land at La
Guaira and at Puerto Cabello; nor must it be forgot that this
company is officially charged with the transport of correspondence
and parcels post.
This situation would be explainable if a state of war existed between
France and Venezuela. Moreover, although in spite of the rupture of
telegraphic communication—I ignore the future intentions of my
Government—the fact that it (French Government) designated me to
look after the archives of the French legation hi this city seems to
prove that in breaking off diplomatic relations with Venezuela
France had no idea of going further than this. The attitude [Page 1434] of the Venezuelan
Government is, then, in this affair, as it has not ceased to be in
other ways during ten days, truly vexating, and I find myself
obliged, in order to cover my responsibility, to protest formally
against these acts which nothing has justified up to the present
moment.
Believe, etc.,
(Signed)
P. Desmartis,
The Vice-Consul of France Charged with the
care of the
Archives of the Legation of the Republic at
Caracas.
