The Secretary of State to Minister Russell.
Washington, February 5, 1906.
(Mr. Root refers to Mr. Russell’s telegram of the 27th,a in which he says that as there are no French consuls in Venezuela nor Venezuelan consuls in France, French vessels will not be allowed to enter nor to be cleared from Venezuelan ports.
Mr. Root inquires whether this is a statement of something which will happen in the future, or if such a rule has already been adopted by Venezuela and is not actually in force? Mr. Root states that such action on the part of Venezuela would terminate her commercial convention with France and make French general tariff applicable to Venezuelan ports, including the practically prohibitory duty on coffee. Also states that France is accordingly desirous to know, and that a speedy answer is desired.)
- Not printed.↩