VENEZUELA TROUBLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 712, 7 January 1903, Page 2

VENEZUELA TROUBLE.

FURTHER DETAILS BY MAIL. Bj* Telegraph—Press Association. (Per R.M.S. Sierra at Auckland.) San Francisco, Dec, 18. The Venezuelan crisis is the great topic of the hour here. Merchants of Caracas, with other influential citizens, met together, and in response to a request from their President, submitted to him a summary of their opinion in writing. The concensus of opiuiou was to the effect that Venezuela, being powerless to protect herseif from the injustice inflicted by the allies, should yield to superior force. Thcso citizens recommended that full powers bo given to tho Minister, Mr Bowen, to carry out all proper measures to terminate the present conflict in the mauner least prejudicial to the interests of Venezuela. The blockade of La Guayra, notice of which was given on December 13, had already gone into effect. President Castro had, since the beginning of hostilities, made his country into an armed camp. He had assembled 40,000 men, armed and equipped, and mostly assembled at La Guayra and Puerto Cabello, at one or both of which points it was expected tho allies would attempt to effect a landing. Prominent men of Venezuela wero at one time willing to risk everything in defence of their country, but they later decided that it would be unjustifiable to tako meu from their families and labours for a hopeless struggle. Tt has therefore been determined to bring about a settlement by some other means than armed resistance. Washington has ordered a naval officer to proceed to Caracas to assist Minister Bowen, who is almost overwhelmed with work. Ho has almost all the British residents of Caracas domiciled at the Legation, feeding them from his own table.

The latest report from London, December 17, says : Developments in the Venezuelan embroglio, as revealed in Mr Balfour’s statements in Parliament yesterday, have resulted in bringing out in the press to-day stronger expressions than ever of a desire to find some pacific solu Lion of the difficulty. It is said on behalf

.if the Government that even last July, when German co operation was first mooted, the Government fiist recognised possibility of a war with Venezuela, and only postponed it because of the suggos tion of the Admiralty, aud in order to avoid the unhealthy season. On the other hand those who claim that the Government of the United Slates forced toe Government of Great Britain into a virtual declaration of war are not lacking. Henry Norman, member of Parliament, in a newspaper article published this morning, m which ho emphasised the dangers of the position into which Germany is dragging Great Britain, contends that the only safe and dignified position tor Great Britain is to seek satisfaction

through the co operation of the United States. Mr Norman’s opinion reflected very widespread feeling with regard to the Anglo-German agreement, and concerning how the United States would view tho existence of a state of warfare between the Powers aud Venezuela.

Tho Daily Nows, in an editorial article, roundly declares that the new Europoan concert is ‘‘Not to coorce a bankrupt Republic, but to revolt against tho Monroe doctrine." The Times this morning gives great prominence to a letteryrom Sir Robert Giff'en, declaring that tfic Foreign Office has gravely blundered in associating itself with Germany against Venezuela. Sir Robert contends that tho blockade will be useless against a bankrupt State, while the seizure of the customs will ho tanta-

mount to annexation, and full of danger considering tho relations of Venezuela to the United States. “ Furthermore," con-

tinues the writer, "however much wo may bring Venezuela to its knees, no solvent Government will remain with which to deal.” Sir Robert strikes his most alarming note when he refers to tho danger of Germany embroiling Great Britain with the United States. He

believes that Germany would not hesitate to occupy Venezuelan territory, and he thinks the less said about British claims the better. He says ho doubts whother Great Britain has any good moral claim against Venezuela, and concludes with these words : “ The best course is to cry off at all hazards, and at the utmost exact punishment for injured seamen by getting hold of guilty Venezuelan officials.” The Times, without endorsing Sir Robert’s gloomy! views, and while it repudiates his suspicions of Germany, says it cannot hide from itself either the actual or contingent difficulties involved in this most disagreeable undertaking.

In tho United States it is understood that tho State Department was fully informed as to the Anglo-German intentions with regard to Venezuela some time ago, and gave passive consent. So far there has been no infringement of tho Monroe doctrine, and at Washington it seems to be understood that no such infringement is intended. It must be admitted, however, tbat the general public is not particularly pleased with tiie combiued attack on Venezuela, and is inclined to bo very suspicious as to the intentions of the allies. The situation is being closely watched, to say the least, though still with a hope tbat there is no covert intention in the unexpected severity of Great Britain and Germany.

London, Deo. 15,

The Under Foreign Secretary, Lord Cranborne, denied in the Huuae of Commons to day that the British Commander was responsible for the sinking of the Venezuelan ships. He said that His Majesty’a Government had been informed that the German Commodore had found it necessary to sink two ships, but Great Britain was not responsible for this. Mr Schwann, an advanced Liberal, then moved the adjournment of the House to discuss Venezuela matters. Lord Cranborne said that Groat Britain bad to perform police duty among the nations, and had to prevent Venezuela from breaking the law of nations. The United States took a sensible view of Great Britain’s insistence that Venezuela should meet her engagements. It was not an infraction of the Monroe doctrine. “ No country had been more anxious than Great Britain,” said Lord Cranborne, “ to assist the American Government in the maintaining of that doctrine.” This remark was greeted with cheers. Continuing, the Under Foreign Secretary said that the British Government had displayed great forbearance, and it was only after Venezuela had been thrice summoned to do right that the Government had been driven to strong measures to secure the safety, liberty, and property of British subjects in Venezuela, and in the execution of these measures the Government desired to pursue the same course of moderation Lord Cranbourne said also that the block ade would be carried out with every re gard for the interests of neutrals. Th&Liberal leader, Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, then voiced his strong dissatisfaction with Lord Cranborne’s speech. He complained of the lack of information about German and British claims, which he declared seemed to be on different footings. The speaker said he was an advocate of the best possible feeling between the two countries, but that in this matter Great Britain seemed to be bound hand in'd foot to Germany. “We could do nothing with regard to our claim,” con;inued the Liberal leader, “unless Gernans are perfectly satisfied with the setdement of their claims. Such agreement s contrary to the country's interests. Mr Balfour then spoke. He accused the nover and seconder of the motion to adourn of a desire to discredit the Governnent. The crux of the matter was a series if outrages by Venezuelans on British eamen and shipowners, for which not inly had compensation been refused, but ireat Britain’s remonstrances had been ntirely disregarded. It was an intolerable ituation, and the Premier denied that the

Government had been unduly hasty. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman appeared to desire to co-operate with Germany on his own peculiar terms, but few allies would be prepared to act on such a basis

Mr Balfour declared that in so far as the financial claims were concerned, Government was prepared to agree to a tribunal to assess them equally. He added also that the United States Government had not suggested arbitiation. Anglo-German interests in Venezuela had been intrusted to the American Minister at Caracas Mv Bowen, who, with admirable

prot , ected lives of British and German subjects. Tho Premier said he understood that it was from Venezuela through the United Stain* *i for arbitration had come. On ®u 8 p 3;l . c “ he would only say it was Venezuela should not havn rv, , : ; the advantage of long period covered by controversies 0 hathat- on the contrary she sh QU \j ’[ refused all apologios, or actually v , in hostilities. Then this idea of arh\- ~ tion suddenly commended itself to i:,» mind of the Venezuelan Premier. lie said he would say nothing for or aga ist this idea, aud repeated that it had not come from the Government of the United States. Mr Schwauu’s motion was rejected without division.