The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-09-29
TIE SOUTH AMERICAN STATES.

OtOn0-cIR6S matter.
THE SOUTH AMERICAN STATES.
The policy of the English govern
ment is and always has been the ac-
uuisition of territory. When the map
is examined and it is seen what a
small dot the little tight island
makes. and then one looks over the
man of the world, it will be discovered
that the boast that the sun
never sets upon the territory
of Great Britain is not an empty
boast, and the wonder is that such a
little spot on the globe should govern
such vast territory.
1t was supposed at one time that the
Monroe doctrine of non.interference
by European governments with South
American states was fully established
and recognized by our friends across
the water, but it seems England is
seeking pretextto occupy the mouth
of the Orinoca river. The velvet
paw of the lion has been gently
laid upon it, and it is surmised
that the claws will snow
themselves and close firmly
upon Venezuela with the usual tenac-
ity of that government. 1t is coign
of vantage that will give England a
firmer and broader foothold on Vene-
zuela, as well as Columbia, Bolivia,
Brazil, the Argentine Republic and
Uruguay. If such a maritime power
as England controlled Barima at the
mouth of the Orinoco river, it would
of course control the commerce OF that
river and its affluents and through
these arteries penetrate as far as the
Rio De La Plata.
This is regarded as more serious
menace to the friendly and CONNER
cial relations of this country with the
South American states than the pos
session of the Panama canal by a
European power and more dangerous
to the South American states.
The mouth of the Orinocois depend
ed upon by this country for CONNER
cial entrance and friendly re-
lations of trade and If
England holds it all these
hopes on our part would prove delu-
siye and also would render nugatory
the object of the South American
states through the good offices of our
government to unity the family bond
of Ameri can states and to have one
and the same destiny in future.
England's pretenlh'ns are flimsy
arising in the claim Of that country to
its jurisdiction of the gold region of
Caratal at the head waters of the
Guruari river.
England in this matter has taken
advantage of the unsettled political
condition of the country and has ad-
vanced claim to large part of Vene-
zeula. An appeal was made by the
authorities of the latter country for
intervention on the part of the United
States some time since and our minister
has heretofore protested but in vain,
as England has pushed her claims
and manifested grasping spirit that
at length brought about action upon
the part of the secretary of state of the
United States.
The war steamship Chicago of our
navy, under the command of Adj
miral Walker, has sailed for Venezu-
ella. The admiral has been charged
with instructions sufficiently plenary
to bring about effective intervention
and prevent the outrage intended to
be perpetrated on Venezuela. The
situation is serious and it Is appre-
hended that we will have trouble
with England. 1t is just as well for
the question involved in the Monroe
doctrine of "hands off" by European
powers in South American. The gov
eminent ofthe United States is the
natural protector of her weaker
southern neighbors.