DETAILS BY 'FRISCO MAIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11814, 7 January 1903, Page 5

DETAILS BY 'FRISCO MAIL.

FEELING IN VENEZUELA

OPINIONS ON THE SITUATION

(Per Mail Steamer at Auckland.)

AUCKLAND, January 6. San Francisco, December 18.—The Venezuelan crisis is the great topic of the hour here. The merchants of Caracas, with other influential citizens, met together, and in response io a request fioim their president, submitted to him a summary of their opinion in writing. This consensus of opinion was to the effect that Venezuela, being powerless to protect hemelf from the injustice inflicted by the allies, should yield Io superior force. These citizens recommended that full powers be .given Minister Bowen to cany out all proper measures tv terminate the present conflict in the mannei' least prejudicial to the interests of Venezuela. The blockade of La Guayara, notice of which was given on December 13, had adready gone into effect. President Oafitro had', since the beginning ojf hostilities, made his country into an armed! camp. He has assembled forty thousand men, armed and equipped:, and) mostly assembled at La Guayara and Puerto Caibello, at one or both of- which points it wasi expected the allies would attempt to effect a landing. Prominent men of Venezuela were at one time willing to risk everything in defence of their countiy, buti later decided! ito would be* unjustifiable to take men from their families and laboui\s for a hopeless struggle. It hatf, therefore., been determined to bring about a, settlement by somg other means than armed resistance.

Washington has ordered naval officers to proceed to Caracas* to assist Minister Bowen, who is almost overwhelmed witb work. He haa almost all the British residents of Caracas domifcil«d! at the Legation, feeding them from Me own table-.

The latest report from London, December 17, says the devekxpmente in the VeneTuelad emibroglic, as revealed in Mr. Balfour's statement in Parliament yesterday, have resulted <in bringb^ oub in the Prcsvi tv-day etrou^er cxpmsiouf thutt ever of

the desire tic* find some pacific solution of the difficulty. It is s«is on behalf of the Government that even last July, when German co-operation was first -mooted1, the Government first recognisedl the possibility of war wvth Venezuela, and only postponed) it because of the suggestion of the Admiralty, and in older ta avoid the unhealthy season. On -the other hand, those who cairn that the Government of the United States forced the Government of Great Britain into a virtual declaration pi war are not lacking. Henry Norman, member of Parliament, in a newspaper article published this morning, in which he emphasised the dangeis of the position into which Germany ds dragging Great Britaiti, contends that the only safe and dignified position for Great Britain is to s£gls satisfaction through the cooperation of the United State.*. Mr. Norman's opinion reflects a very widespread feeling with regard to the Anglo-German agreement, and concerning 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, but a revolt*again.-1 the Monroe doctrine."

The "Times'" this morning gives great promrnence to a letter from Sir Robert G iff en, declaring that the Foreign Office gravely blundered in associating itself'with Germany against Venezuela. Sk' Robeit contends that the blockacTfe will be useles:i against a bankrupt 'State, while the seizure of customs will, be tantamount to annexation and full of danger, considering the relations of Venezuela to the Uirted Staes. "Furthermore," continues the writer, "however much we may bring Venezuela to her knees, no solvent Government will remain with which to deal." Sir Robert strikes his ttnost) alarming note when ho refers to the danger of Germany embroiglinjj Great Britain with the United States. He believes Germany would nob hesitate to occupy Venezuelan terrif-ory, and he thinks the less said about the British' claims the- better. He eaya he doubts whether 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 far injured seamen by getting hold of the guilty Venezuelan officials." The "Times," without endorsing Sir Robert'^ 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 the United States it is understood the State Department was fully informed! as to the Anglo-German intentions vritli regard to Venezuela some time ago,, and gave a ■passive consent. So far, tihere lias been na infringement pf the Monroe doctrine, and1 at Washington it seems to be understood that no such infringement is intended. It> must be ad-tnitted, however, that the general public is not particularly pleased witlii the combined attack on Venezuela, and is inclined to be very suspicious as to the intentions of the allies. The situation in being closely watched, to say the least, though still with the hope that there, is no covert intention in the unexpected severity; of Great Britain and1 Germany. London, December lo.—The Under Foreign Secretary, Lord Cranborne, denied iv the House of Commons to-day that a British commander was responsible for the sinking of Venezuelan vessels. He said his Majesty's Government had been in-formed that the German commodore found it necessary to sink two but Great Britain was not responsible for this.

Mi 1. Schwa nn, an advanced -Liberal; them moved the adjournment of the House to discuss matters'.

Lord Cranbome said Great Britain hadi to perform police duty among the nations, and had to px'event 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, which was not an infraction of the Monroe doctrine. "No country had been more anxious than Great Britain," said Lord Cranbourne, "to* assist the American Government to maintain that dba- ! trine." This remark waa greeted with cheers. Continuing, the Under Secretary ?aid the British Government had) displayed great, foi'bearance, 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 thei'e measures the Government desired to pursue the same course of moderation. Lord Cranbourne said, also, that the blotokade would be carried! out with every regard for the interests of neutrals. The Liberal leader, Sir Henry CampbellBannerman, then voiced his sitrong dissatisfaction with Lord Oranbourne's speech. He complained of the lack of inforiraatkm about the 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 in this matter Great Britain seemed -bound! hand and footl to Germany. "We could: da nothing with regard to our claims/ continued the Liberal leader, "unless the Germans wero perfectly .satisfied with the settlement of their claim*. Such au agreement is contrary to the country's interests." Mr. Balfour. then spoke. He accused the mover and seconder of the. motion to adjourn of a desire to discredit the Government. The crux of tue matter was a series* of outrages by Venezuelans ou British seamen ana shipowners, for which not only had compensation been refused!, but Great Britain's remonstrances had been entirely diitfegairded. It was an intolerable situation, and the Premier denied1 that the Government had been unduly hasty. SirHenry Campbell-Bannerman appeared t(j desire to co-operate with Germany on his own peculiar terms, but few allies would be prepared ta act on such a basis. Mr. Balfour declared! that in so far a.4 the principal claims were concerned, the Government was prepared to agree to a tribunal to assess them equally. He added alsci thab the United .States Government had not; suggested arbitration. The Anglo-German interests in Venezuela had! been entrusted to the American Minister at Caracas, Mr. Bowen, who, with admirable energy, had protected the lives of British and German subject*. The Premier said he understood that it was from Venezuela, through the United States, that the suggestion for arbitration hod come. On that point he would only say it was unfortunate that Venezuela should not have thought of the advantages of arbitration during the long period covered by the controversies, but, on the cori'trary,' .she should have refused! all apologies or actually engaged in hostilities. Then this idea of arbitration suddenly commended1 itself to the minda of the Venezuelans. The Premier said he would1 say nothing for or againslti 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.