GERMAN GUILE?

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 148, 19 December 1902, Page 4

GERMAN GUILE?

Our cable messages of to-day with reference to the Venezuelan crisis, suggest a view of the situation that is not altogether reassuring. There can be little doubt that tlie joint punitive expedition undertaken in the first instance by Great Britain and Germany is fully justified by that body of customs known as Public International Law. Italy joined the original allies later, and France lias been advancing claims through them. Today we learn that Spain and Belgium are demanding from Venezuela most favoured nation treatment in the settlement of their outstanding disputes. The public opinion of ' Europe, therefore, supports British and German action. Vene7Aiela, owing to the conduct of President Castro, has' failed to fulfil her obligations as a membsr of the comity of nations, and the Powers have sanctioned the employment of force to bring her back to a sense of her responsibility. In secret session the American Senate, while advocating watchfulness, admitted that up to the present nothing had been done to which the United States could take exception. All this is so far satisfactory, as also ia the friendliness shown by the New York press to Great Britain. But the sinister aspect of the affair, seen seen in the light of to-day's messages, is the danger lest Germany should be entangling Great Britain in an enterprise which may breed suspicion, if not illfeeling, between the two English-speak-ing peoples. There is in>the United Slates a .wholesome distrust of German activity in South •America. It is an open secret that the German Government is anxious to modify or restrict the application of the Monroe Doctrine, and would gladly inveigle Great Britain into real or even, apparent antagonism to the policy of the United States. Moreover, German diplomacy has for, a considerable time been directed to the isolation of Great Britain. Germany hns acted as "agent-provoca-teur" in stirring up discord between Great Britain and France, and also be-" tween Great Britain and Russia. Is she trying in the Venezuelan affair to stir up similar discord between Great Britain and the United States? Evidently a large party in the United Kingdom dislikes the present joint action with Ger■many, and fears it may endanger existing cordial relations with the United States. The refusal" of the latter Pcjwer to recognise the blockade of Venezuelan ports unless the allies admitted the existence of , a state of war, though quite in accordance with precedents, indicates how easily the punitive expedition against Venezuela might lead Ijo difficulties with the United States. ■ The British Prime Minister has wisely admitted the existence of a state of war, and this may convince President Castro of the futility of an attitude which prevents the reference of the dispute to arbitration. If, as the American press alleges, Venezuela is ready to accept anything but territorial indemnities, there is a possibility that the affair may be settled without further hostilities. Great Britain would never demand territorial indemnities, since that would admittedly be an infringement of the Monroe Doctrine.