THE VENEZUELAN TROUBLE

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8090, 7 January 1903, Page 3

THE VENEZUELAN TROUBLE

By Telegraph. ' (Per San Steamer.) Auckland,. January 6. _, '„„ r-i«is is- the sreat topic Toe H- il . The merchants °l < £ Ur^h^er C lnilu,n t i,l citizens, of Uraca= y\ , ■ spouse to a reaet submitted to S™lry-of their This consent ot opinion v ; . t 4t Venezuela, being power!e== to P">t.ect from the injustice inflicted by the a„£i should yield to superiorforce. These J:;-! that tall powers be So the Minister (Mr Bow,-..;, to carry Kl 1 proper measures to terminate the H Sonfoct- in a manner Wa« prejuSic\il to the interest., oi W.ezuela. The yockade of La Guayra, nonce oi which was his country P-."' n ' ,-.i r .-. m n He had assembled equipped, andmost-h-"Sb!ed at La Guayra aniPncrto GaI I l , -it o"- or both of which points it wa the allies would attempt to cff" tlttns. Prominent men of Venezuela were at one time willing to risk everything n rt- defence of their country but kter decided it would be unjustifiable to take men from their families and labors for a SS*dWDring about a settlement by ,ome other means than armed resistance. Washington has ordered.a naval officer to proceed to Caracas to assist Minister Bowen who is almost overpowered with work He hj» almost all the British res.dent, of Caracas domiciled at the legation, and is feeding them from his own table. The reoort from London, dated December IT "savs-—'Developments in the Venezue- | lan cmbr'o.iio. as revealed in Mr Balfour's «tat*ments"' in Parliament yesterday, have resulted in the bringing out in the Press to-day of stronger expressions.than ever of the desire to find some pacific solution of the difficulty. It is said on behalf of the Government that even last July, when German co-operation was first .mooted, the -Govmmentfirst recognised the possibility of a "war with Venezuela, and only postponed it because of the suggestion of the Admiralty and in order to avoid the unhealthy «i<wi On the other hand, those who claim that the Government of the United States forced the Government of Great Britain into a virtual declaration of war are not lackins. Mr Henry Norman, M.P., in a newspaper article published this morning in which he emphasised the dangers of the position into which Germany is dragging Great Britain, contends that the only safe and dignified position for Great Britain is to seek satisfaction through the co-opera-tion of the United States Mr Norman's opinion reflects a very widespread feeling with reeard to the Anglo-German agreement and concernins how the United States would view the existence of a state of warfare between the Powers and Venezuela, The Daily News, in an editorial article, roundly declares that the new European concert is ''not to coerce a bankrupt republic, bub to revolt against the Monroe Doctrine." The Times this morning gives 'Teat prominence to a letter from Sir Robert Giffen, declaring that the Foreign Office cravely blundered in associating itself with Germany against Venezuela. Sir Robert contends that the blockade will be useless asainst a bankrupt State, while the <*izure- of the Customs will be tantamount to annexation, and full of danger, considering the relations of Venezuela to the United States. "Furthermore," continues the "however mnch we 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 the danger of Germany embroiling Great Britain with the United States. He believes Germany would not hesitate to occupy Venezuelan territory, and he thinks the less said about the British claims the better. He says he doubts whether Great Britain has any good moral claim against Venezuela, and" concludes with, these words :—"The first course is to cry off at all hazards, and at the inmost exact punishment for the injured seamen by getting hold of the guilty Venezuelan officials." The Times, without endorsing Sir Robertas doomy views, and while it repudiates his suspicions of Germany, says HV cannot hide from itself either the actual or contingent difficulties involved in this most disagreeable undertaking. In the United States it is understood the State Department was informed as to Anglo-German intentions with regard to Venezuela some time ago, and cave passive consent. So far there "has been no infrincement of the Monroe Doctrine, and at Washington it seems to be understood that no such infringement is intended. It must be admitted, however, that the icneral public is not particularly pleased with the combined attack on Venezuela, and is inclined to be very suspicious as to the intention of the allies.. The situation is bein:: closely watched, to .?•->■ the least, though etill with" the hope that :". ere is no covert intention in the -n<*xp.--:-ed severity of Great Britain and Geruu : y. The Under Foreign -kereinrv. Lord Cranborne, denied in the House of Com- ' mons to-day that the !•: ish commander was responsible for t ■■■ sinking of the Venezuelan ships. He said his Majesty's Government had been informed that the German commodore found it necessary to sink two ships, but Great Britain was not responsible fortius. Mr Schwann, an advanced Liberal, .then moved the adjournment of the House to . discuss Venezuelan matters. Lord Cranborne said Great Britain had to perform police duty among the nations, and had to prevent Venezuela from breaking the law of nations. The United States took the sensible view that Great Britain's insistence that Venezuela should meet her engagements 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 to maintain that doctrine." This remark was greeted with, cheers. Continuing, the Under-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 Cranborne said also that the blockade would be carried out with every regard for the interests of neutrals. The 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 whicn, 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 in this matter Great Brita;:: seemed bound hand and foot to Germany. "We could do nothing without regard to our claims," continuedlhe Liberal leader, "unless the Germans are perfectly satisfit d with the settlement of their claims. Such an agreement is contrary to the country's interests." Mi Balfour then spoke. He tccused the mover and seconder of the motion to adjourn of a desire to discredit the Government, The crux of the matter was a series of outrages by Venezuelans on British seamen and shipowners for which not o::iy had compensation been refused, but Great Britain's remonstrances had" been er.-.ireiy disregarded. It was an intolerable situation, and the Premied denied that- the Government had been unduly hasty. Sir Henry CampbellBannerman appeared to desire to co-operate with Germany on his own peculiar terms, but few allies would be prepared to acton such a basis. Mr Balfour declared that, in so far as financial claims were concerned, the Government was prepared to agree to a tribunal to assess tli-m equally. He added also that the United States Government had not suggested arbitration! AngloGerman interests in Venezuela hacween intrusted to the American Ministerial Caracas, Mr Bowen, who. with fdmirable energy, had protected the lives of British and German subjects. The Premier said he understood that it v.■-, < from Veuezueln, through the United States, that the suggestion for arbitraliou bid come. On that point- he would only say it was unfortunate that Venezuela should rot. have thought of ' the advantages of arbitration during the long period covered by the controversies, but on the contrary should have refused all apologies or actually engaged in hostilities. , Then the idea of arbitration suddenly com--'

mended itself to the minds of Venezuelans. The Premier said lie would say nothing for or against this idea, and repeated that it had not come from the Government of the United States. Mr Schwann's motion was rejected without a division.