The Feilding Star, Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette Published Daily. TUEsDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1902. VENEZUELA.

Feilding Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 143, 16 December 1902, Page 2

The Feilding Star, Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette Published Daily. TUEsDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1902. VENEZUELA.

m Every cablegram we receive shows that the position in Venezuela is becoming more difficult, and the problem of an adjustment satisfactory to all parties more remote. The hotheaded residents of that little republic are apparently determined to try their strength against the combined forces of England and Germany. The trouble with England arose out of the seizure of a railway and British vessels by the Venezuelans, the ill-treatment of British subjects, and the absolute refusal of the offenders to make any satisfactory arrangement. But the possession of the Island of Patos is also a contributing cause. This island is only a mile long, and half a mile wide, but its position renders it of value to Great Britain, and consequently the latter is not willing to give up what she believes to be her's by right of possession. The strategic position of the island is of some consequence, as it commands the northern mouths of the river Orinoco. Venezuela desires to establish her claim to it because it would make a valuable Customs station, whereas at present it appears to be a favourite reaorfc of I smugglers. It is stated the island was for some years the home of an adventurous Englishman who grew tobacco, and bred goats there- 1 on, in fact lived a solitary Robinson Crusoe like existence. After being nearly murdered by a band of roving Venezuelan criminals, and all efforts to procure reparation had failed, he abandoned the island which has since become a refuge to fishermen, smugglers and filibusters. It was indeed owing to the free use made of the place during the revolution by rebels and by the Venezuelan Navy, that the Governor of Trinidad took steps to assert British rights. He thereupon hoisted the British flagon the island. The garrison in command is said to have consisted of one watchman. The raising of the British flag caused great excitement in Venezuela, and gaye rise to some of those violent newspaper attacks on the British of which the British Consul lately complained. As a contributing cause of the present situation, the dispute over Patos island cannot be disregarded.